Incumbent Anderson Sides with Union Leadership, Revealing True Colors Through Campaign Misconduct

Thank you so much for your patience as the ballots are still being counted in Orange County and throughout the state, with a total of 67,753 ballots left to be processed in OC. While we were only 81 votes behind in-person voting, we are currently standing at 44.05% in this race. 

A win in this 2024 race does not appear likely for us. Running against an incumbent who had over 6 times more money than us and many more union members (both active and retired) knocking on doors was a challenge—automatically putting us in an underdog position. But this was a race we could not leave uncontested for the sake of our PYLUSD students and families!

Incumbent Anderson's Unethical Campaign Tactics Linked to Union Influence

During our campaign, Marilyn Anderson’s husband, Steve Anderson (right), followed our campaign canvassers and used intimidating tactics while Marilyn Anderson (left) observed our volunteers while parked in her car. He also used the same tactics on two separate occasions, slowly following me in his vehicle while I was canvassing in downtown Placentia for two consecutive days, making sure I knew I was being watched closely. This was clearly an attempt to intimidate, so we filed a police report. This was shameful conduct, especially for a retired police officer.

Topaz Elementary Clerk and Anderson Backer Targets Campaign With Misinformation and Personal Attacks

Irma Sanchez (left), a very vocal supporter and close friend of Incumbent Anderson, who is also an AM clerk at Topaz Elementary, spread defamatory lies about our campaign and about the funding of PYLUSD programs like USI and OCSCS. She reached out to homes displaying our yard signs to disseminate these falsehoods, attempting to sway residents. Sanchez even posted links to a hoax website labeling me as an “extremist” and posted on social media, calling me the “worst enemy of Hispanics.”

District's Family Resource Center Liaison Caught by Police Stealing Pro-Leandra, Ryan, and Maria Campaign Sign, Highlighting Further Misconduct by Anderson’s Team

Perhaps even more shamefully, Jon Matson (above), the District’s Homeless Liaison for McKinney-Vento assistance and a strong supporter of Incumbent Anderson and the APLE union, was caught by Costa Mesa police at his home for stealing a pro-Leandra, Maria, and Ryan campaign sign in Area 2. 

We witnessed a lot of misconduct, intimidation, and even criminal actions against us during this race, which makes us very proud that, by the grace of God, we did not stoop to their level. Tactics like theirs never lead to a long-term win in the end. Just look at the lies Incumbent Anderson published in her own mailers, which came directly from APLE…

Now On a Very Positive Note…

I had the opportunity to experience the students’ projects and creativity at Cornucopia 2024 at OCSCS. The energy was incredibly positive and powerful!The students were excited and well-prepared to present and speak about their projects. From a magic closet that suggests daily outfits based on the weather and occasion to a much-needed app that reminds you to water your plants based on their moisture levels, to scented toys for dogs designed to keep them engaged longer—their ideas were truly innovative. 

This kind of innovation in education is possible thanks to the leadership of OCSCS Principal Dr. Fisher, along with the teachers and staff, who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. The community is also thankful for the support of the current board majority trustees: President Leandra Blades, Todd Frazier, and Shawn Youngblood, who had the vision and courage to support this program—from its inception to its ongoing evolution.

APLE Union Leadership Targets PYLUSD Progress, Threatening to Dismantle Leadership and Programs to Regain Control—No Matter the Cost to Our Children

Unfortunately, as it currently stands, the APLE union leadership is planning to dismantle our PYLUSD leadership, staff, and programs as we lose our Board majority. They will likely stop at nothing to undo everything that has been built for our children over the past year and a half. They are motivatedby their loss of control over the Board, and they desperately want it back, regardless of the harm it may cause to the education and well-being of our children. 

Here are the objectives our opposition has communicated: 

• Rescind the District’s Parental Notification Policy

• Bring back Critical Race Theory (CRT)

• Defund USI and OCSCS

• Fire Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss

• Fire OCSCS Principal Dr. Beth Fisher

• Recall Board President Leandra Blades

But here’s the good news…

You have made a difference. With your support, we connected with thousands of constituents  in Area 2 who believe in our cause and voted for me as a candidate who prioritizes students first! Just like you, they understand what’s at stake. There was only an 11% margin of voters in Area 2who were either misled or lacked enough information to make an informed choice, leading them to vote for Anderson simply because she was the incumbent.

🚨🚨CALL TO ACTION!🚨🚨

You can show your support for our Board President, Leandra Blades, along with Trustees Todd Frazier and Shawn Youngblood (outgoing), and Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, who have ushered in a renaissance of academic and extracurricular innovation in PYLUSD. The APLE union supporters will be at the next Board meeting (tomorrow evening) in considerable numbers, so we need your presence at the meeting!

Please join us at the next Board meeting tomorrow at 6:00 PM at the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Offices, 1301 E. Orangethorpe Ave, Placentia, CA 92870. 

I look forward to seeing you there as we continue to Put Students First!