Former State Senator David Schapira has been appointed assistant superintendent at Mesa’s East Valley Institute of Technology.

For all the flak that our state’s education system has taken over the years (I’ve dealt some of it), we proudly lead the nation in an important segment: career and technical education.

The Tempe Union High School District’s 2013 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists were recognized at an awards reception on Oct. 29 at Desert Vista High School. Families, friends and principals were joined by Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca and governing board members Michelle Helm, Zita Johnson, DeeAnne McClenahan, David Schapira and Mary Lou Taylor. Dr. David Garcia, ASU associate professor, Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation, was the guest speaker.

House and Senate Democrats chose leaders Thursday who are likely to continue to push the same priorities as before -- but perhaps with a bit more success because of increased numbers.

Longtime East Valley lawmaker Ben Arredondo will be sentenced in January after pleading guilty Friday to two felony charges in federal court.

Arizona’s primary election may indicate the tea party is losing some of its influence, public opinion experts said after Tuesday’s vote.

Former Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker took the lead in early election results Tuesday night in the Republican party’s race to be on the November ballot for Congressional District 9.

Unofficial results in the race to represent congressional district 9 show Republican Vernon Parker and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in the lead.

With unofficial results in, it looks like former State Sen. Kyrsten Sinema will be on the November ballot for Congressional District 9.

I have seen hundreds of candidates throughout my political involvement, yet in the Democratic Primary for Congressional District 9, there is one candidate that rises above the rest. That candidate is David Schapira.

Too often in our politics, education is used as a political football by both sides of the aisle. Candidates make campaign promises to earn votes that they fail to fulfill, and our students pay the price.

While voters have until Nov. 6 to decide who they’ll support for president and other high-profile elections, many of the East Valley’s biggest races will be settled in a little over a week.

Today, Sen. John McCain announced his endorsement of Martin Sepulveda for Congress, representing District 9, citing Sepulveda’s military experience and his experience on the Chandler City Council.

Former Chandler Mayor Coy Payne has announced his endorsement of Arizona Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira, D-Tempe, in his campaign for Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District.

PHOENIX (AP) — In Arizona's brand-new 9th Congressional District, three Democrats and seven Republicans are vying to win the upcoming primary so they can move on to what could turn out to be a nasty fight for the seat, given that it's one of few toss-up races in the state and the field is so wide.

The primary in Congressional District 9 has pitted three of the brightest members of the Democratic Party in Arizona against each other.

The Tempe and Arizona Hispanic chambers of commerce will host a forum in Tempe on Wednesday, Aug. 1 featuring candidates for Congressional District 9. Each candidate has been asked to present an opening statement on the economy, Arizona and the nation’s fast-growing Hispanic market, and audience members will have a chance to ask questions as well.

Senate Democratic leader David Schapira, D-Tempe, announced the support of the Arizona Federation of Teachers, the Arizona affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), as well as three local affiliates of the National Education Association (NEA): the Tempe Secondary Education Association, the Kyrene Education Association and the Paradise Valley Education Association.

Following through on her threat, a Payson Republican lawmaker has filed an ethics complaint against Mesa Republican Sen. Rich Crandall.

Funding for Social Security, Medicare and affordable health care were the issues of concern Wednesday during the newly formed Legislative District 18’s monthly meeting.

Senate Democratic Leader David Schapira, D-Tempe, has announced that he has earned the endorsement of Brigadier Gen. Gregg Maxon. Maxon joins Schapira’s Veterans Council to advise him on the important issues facing America’s veterans, their families and men and women currently serving in uniform.

Democrats from the newly formed Legislative District 18 gathered Monday evening to hear the announcement of a new office opening in Ahwatukee Foothills, also hearing from congressional candidate Dave Schapira.