Jesse Brainard

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Jesse Brainard

Nonpartisan

Gilbert Public Schools, At-large

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

0

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Associate

Chandler Gilbert Community College, 2019

Personal

Birthplace

Gilbert, Ariz.

Profession

Government

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Jesse Brainard is an at-large member of the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board in Arizona. He assumed office on January 1, 2025. His current term ends on January 1, 2029.

Brainard ran for election for an at-large seat of the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board in Arizona. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Brainard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jesse Brainard was born in Gilbert, Arizona. He earned an associate degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College in 2019. His career experience includes working in government.

Elections

2024

See also: Gilbert Public Schools, Arizona, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Gilbert Public Schools, At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Gilbert Public Schools, At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Blake Robison (Nonpartisan)	22.2	45,794
✔		Jesse Brainard (Nonpartisan)	17.6	36,309
✔		Shana Murray (Nonpartisan)	17.6	36,226
	Submit photo	Ann Stevens (Nonpartisan)	15.4	31,715
	Submit photo	Rose Parker (Nonpartisan)	14.4	29,783
	Submit photo	Ronda Page (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)	6.7	13,813
		Sheila Rogers Uggetti (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)	5.8	11,918
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	660

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 206,218
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Brainard received the following endorsements.

• Gilbert Unified School District Board Member Jill Humpherys (Nonpartisan)
• Frmr. Gilbert Unified School District Board Member J. Charles Santa Cruz (Nonpartisan)
• Gilbert Chamber of Commerce
• Save Our Schools Arizona

2022

See also: Gilbert Public Schools, Arizona, elections (2022)

The special election was canceled. Ronda Page (Nonpartisan) won without appearing on the ballot.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jesse Brainard (Nonpartisan)

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jesse Brainard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brainard's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of Gilbert and a proud product of Gilbert Public Schools. Both my parents have played a significant role in shaping who I am today. My father is a Marine veteran, and my mother is a longtime GPS educator. They instilled a strong sense of community service within me and taught me to stand up for my beliefs. As a former student, I understand students' challenges and the importance of having someone who can relate to them. As a student, I experienced the impact of policy changes in our school district and the need for someone who can empathize with students and teachers alike. I developed a passion for government and public service while attending Gilbert High School. Eventually, this led me to my current job at the State of Arizona. I assist constituents throughout the state in navigating government processes. When I'm not working, you might find me playing my guitar, cheering on the Arizona sports teams, or attending school board meetings.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Prioritize Student Mental Health: Our students are struggling not only in GPS but throughout the country. With the negative impact of social media and an increase in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), it should be at the forefront of everyone's mind. Not being too far removed as a student myself, I can relate with students on the toxic culture of social media and the struggles they face. We must partner with parents to support students of all ages on this issue.
• Retaining Our Teachers: Parents have told me they are concerned about losing quality teachers to other Districts or careers, as is happening across the country. We must treat our teachers with respect and bring them to the table. Our District must stay competitive with other Districts on teacher pay and benefits. We must also look at issues like the loss of prep times for teachers and work-life balance. As the son of a teacher, this is important to me. I have seen all the hard work our educators have put in and the loyalty of those who remain in GPS. Also, as a student with an Individualized Education Program, I couldn't have succeeded without my parents' support and the educators and staff who supported me.
• Safe and Affordable Student Transportation: We have a bus driver shortage, and it needs to be addressed. I have heard from numerous parents, students, and administrators about this problem. Buses are being taken away from schools because of a lack of drivers. This results in students being crammed together in a bus because the number of students commuting stays the same. Not only is this a safety concern, but we must establish consistency. Finding the root causes is imperative to solving this need.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The priorities I outlined in the previous question are areas I am passionate about. Other important issues are supporting students with learning disabilities and special education. As a student who struggled with learning disabilities, I know firsthand how tough it can be for our students. We must support them and work with parents to best help our students. Also, special education students need to get more attention. We must bring the parents of those students to the table as well as staff to better provide for those students.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

As I mentioned in a previous question, my parents are the epitome of hard work and taking care of others. My father is a Marine Veteran, and my mother is an Educator. I aspire to serve my community and follow in their footsteps.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

In my opinion, they should be honest, have integrity, empathy, accountability, transparency, and committed to serving their constituents. They should also be able to listen to others and communicate their priorities. As well as be evident in their reason for being in elected office. Are you there to serve themselves or the people they represent?

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

d

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Jesse Brainard did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

See also

2024 Elections

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Gilbert Public Schools, At-large

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