Fernando Madrid

Fernando “Fernie” Madrid spent decades as an educator, primarily in Apache County, Arizona, in the state’s rural northeast corner. He’s largely retired from the classroom now, but remains dedicated to the community’s students. So, in 2024, he decided to run for election as Apache County Superintendent of Schools. He had no idea that his decision would subject him to a campaign of harassment and intimidation at the hands of Apache County officials, turning his life upside down.

Fernie was running against the incumbent School Superintendent, Joy Whiting. Joy is married to Michael Whiting, the Apache County Attorney. And Michael didn’t take kindly to the prospect of his wife having electoral competition. Rather than let the election play out, he used his post as County Attorney to harass and intimidate Fernie and force him to drop out. 

Whiting had two assistants on his County Attorney’s Office payroll surveil Fernie and physically assault him while he was collecting signatures to appear on the ballot. They pelted rocks at his house, and, finally, sent him creepy anonymous letters threatening legal action against him if he didn’t drop out. Devastated, but terrified of what Whiting would do to him and his family next, Fernie ended his candidacy. 

Michael Whiting’s retaliation and harassment campaign was not just criminal, but wildly unconstitutional. So Fernie has teamed up with the Institute for Justice (“IJ”) to file a federal lawsuit to hold Michael Whiting and his assistants accountable and to ensure that what happened to Fernie does not happen again.