Arizona lost an educational treasure in Carolyn Warner

Carolyn served as Arizona’s state superintendent of public instruction in an era not that long ago but quite different from today: a time when Arizona’s public schools ranked above the national average in nearly every metric of student and school performance.

Following her service in that role and for the final three decades of her life, she eloquently and consistently fought for school funding equity and quality education for all of Arizona’s children. Her role and dedication will long be heralded.

It was also a different era in terms of mutual respect our leaders had for one another—leaders for whom the betterment of our great state mattered more than political party. In her 1986 race for Arizona governor, Carolyn had expected to face state House Majority Leader Burton Barr in the general election rather than eventual Republican nominee Even Mecham, to whom Carolyn narrowly lost in a three-way race.

When she and I sat for lunch a few years ago, Carolyn told me, shaking her head in what unfortunately was nostalgic remembrance of a bygone era of respect for members of the opposing political party: Burton Barr would have made a wonderful governor!

Imagine politicians today giving high praise and compliments to their opponents. Just imagine ...

From my first campaign staff role on her gubernatorial campaign 32 years ago to my own campaign for secretary of state this cycle, I learned from Carolyn Warner how to pursue public service with grace, share a sense of humor, and run a campaign based on ideas.

Having plucked me from a group of high schoolers interested in politics to serve as a volunteer coordinator for her 1986 campaign, she would later send this then-college student off to work for Arizona Congressman Morris Udall, who, like Carolyn, shared a sharp humor and would earn respect from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Carolyn and I later kidded around that she told Mo: “Here, you take him. I don’t do child care!” Perhaps the greatest thrill during this past year on the campaign trail was when I was honored to follow my mentor at the speaking podium at an event where she marveled the crowd with her history — from dancing with President Truman at his inaugural to her decades of public service, including her fight to her end for justice and educational equity and quality.

Over the decades, Carolyn and I joked that she was my non-Jewish godmother about whom my parents only found out about after my bar mitzvah. In truth, she was the political godmother to all Arizona Democrats and godmother to all Arizona students. Kind, compassionate, fierce, and ready to take on all challenges —that was Carolyn Warner.

Arizona has lost a treasure, but she will always be with me and, truly, all of us.

Forever teaching Arizona, our Carolyn Warner.