Kirsten Dorman/KJZZ

Superintendent Tom Horne gave opening remarks at the nearly three-hour town hall held by Moms for Liberty on Sept. 14, 2023.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said Thursday he’s focused on getting more conservatives elected to school boards in 2024.

Horne was speaking at a town hall hosted by controversial parental rights group, Moms for Liberty, which was added to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s list of anti-government extremist entities last year.

In Arizona, where 90% of enrollment is in public schools, school boards shape curriculum, standards and set the tone for the communities they serve.

At the town hall Thursday night in Mesa, Moms for Liberty announced it would launch the first of three new chapters in Maricopa County with the goal of building influence from parent to teacher, up to district leadership. Horne said he’ll do his part.

“My obsession in 2024 is to get conservatives elected to our school boards,” Horne told the crowd.

Horne gave opening remarks at the nearly three-hour event, which included a panel of Freedom Caucus members Jake Hoffman, Justine Wadsack, Justin Heap and Barbara Parker.

The group discussed empowerment scholarship accounts, social issues and legislation they plan to push in the coming session.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, who sat in the first row, was recognized and applauded, but she did not speak.