🎙️ EXPOSED: Tucson's Conservative Media Elite (Ted Maxwell, Dan Shearer & DeSimone) Reveal Their True Feelings About Homeless People, Mayor Romero, and the City's Future

Dan Shearer Reveals His True Colors: GVNews Editor Claims "Objectivity" While Trashing Progressive Policies - From fidget spinner outrage to homeless stereotyping.

May 07, 2025

😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾

🎙️ Some people who talk on podcasts in Tucson 🏙️ were discussing things like roads 🛣️, homeless people 🏚️, and the city government 🏛️. They didn't seem to like the leaders of Tucson very much 👎 and said some unkind things about people who don't have homes 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️. They talked about how roads are being built 🚧 and why some projects take so long ⏳ or cost a lot of money 💸. They also complained about colleges 🎓 and how they teach students 📚. The important thing to understand is that these people have one way of looking at problems 👀, but there are many other perspectives 🔄 they didn't include, especially from people who actually experience these challenges firsthand 🙌.

🗝️ Takeaways

🎭 Dan Shearer claims journalistic objectivity while simultaneously expressing clearly partisan opinions about Governor Hobbs and progressive policies
🏠 Both guests dehumanized unhoused people, falsely claiming "they're all on drugs" while dismissing the systemic causes of housing insecurity
🚌 The RTA discussion focused almost exclusively on roads for cars, with virtually no consideration of public transit needs for low-income communities
🔥 Despite discussing wildfire dangers, the conversation completely ignored climate change's role in worsening conditions
🏙️ DeSimone explicitly stated he's "done with any hope for the city of Tucson," revealing conservative media's contempt for diverse urban communities
🧠 Shearer mocked accommodations for neurodivergent students, showing hostility toward inclusive educational environments

Get 7 day free trial

Behind the MAGA Curtain: DeSimone's Conservative Echo Chamber Exposes Right-Wing Disconnect

There's something uniquely fascinating—and deeply troubling—about eavesdropping on conservative media when they think they're just talking among friends. Chris DeSimone's "Wake Up Live" podcast from May 7, 2025, offered exactly such a window into the parallel reality inhabited by Southern Arizona's right-wing voices, where progressive policies are villainized, unhoused people are dehumanized, and facts take a backseat to conservative grievance.

While sipping my morning coffee and listening to this episode, I couldn't help but marvel at how confidently these men speak about issues affecting communities they clearly don't understand or meaningfully engage with. And they wonder why Arizona's turning increasingly purple...

The Self-Declared "Objective" Journalist: Dan Shearer's Mask Slips

Dan Shearer, editor of the Green Valley News, returned after a month-long vacation to the redwoods of Northern California. After some pleasantries about his travels, he quickly pivoted to what appears to be his favorite pastime: complaining about the state of journalism education while claiming the mantle of objectivity for himself.

The conversation took a particularly revealing turn when Shearer unleashed a tirade against accommodations for neurodivergent students in a college journalism class:

"There was at the front of the room... they said, 'now, here's our box of fidget spinners. Does anybody need'... I'm going to cry here. It's like, dammit, you're in college. What do you mean a fidget spinner?"

His contemptuous tone spoke volumes about the conservative worldview that remains deeply suspicious of accessibility accommodations. Heaven forbid we make education accessible to people whose brains work differently! What's next, ramps for wheelchairs? The horror!

The most fascinating aspect of Shearer's perspective was his insistence on his own objectivity while simultaneously revealing profound biases:

"I honestly don't know how to be slanted," he proclaimed, just moments before declaring, "I think Katie Hobbs is a disaster."

This cognitive dissonance—claiming absolute neutrality while expressing clear partisan opinions—perfectly captures the self-deception that characterizes much of conservative media. They don't recognize their biases because they've convinced themselves their worldview isn't a perspective but simply "common sense."

Shearer went on to boast about his journalistic principles: "If someone's out of line, you do it. And I will tell you this, Chris, I honestly don't know how to be slanted because I am so committed to the basic principles."

Sure, Jan. That's why conservative perspectives mysteriously dominate your coverage.

The conversation took an even darker turn when discussing Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz's proposal for a property tax to fund affordable housing. Rather than engaging with the policy details or the very real housing crisis affecting thousands of Southern Arizonans, Shearer immediately pivoted to dehumanizing stereotypes:

"Is it the person who used to pay $800 bucks a month for rent, but now it's gone up to $1,200 and they're going to have to move back in with mom and dad...? Or is it people living on the street who are all strung out, who are going to go into a shelter or a place that is provided for them and frankly trash it?"

This framing—presenting unhoused people as either deserving victims of circumstances or drug-addicted destroyers—reveals the profound lack of understanding about homelessness in our community. It ignores decades of research showing that housing insecurity stems from systemic issues, including wage stagnation, speculation in housing markets, insufficient mental health resources, and, yes, the criminalization of poverty that conservative policies champion.

DeSimone, never one to miss an opportunity to punch down, chimed in: "Again, the percentage of people who are kicked to the street with no alternative that are, quote, not on drugs is such a rarity. It's off the charts. They're all on drugs."

All of them, Chris? Every single unhoused person? This kind of sweeping dehumanization isn't just factually wrong—it's morally reprehensible.

Ted Maxwell: Defending Failed Transportation Policies While Blaming Tucson

The second segment featured Ted Maxwell discussing the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which has repeatedly failed to deliver promised projects despite significant taxpayer investment.

Maxwell spent considerable time discussing internal RTA politics, particularly focusing on Mayor Regina Romero and Supervisor Matt Heinz's apparent efforts to replace executive director Farhad Moghimi. Rather than addressing whether the RTA's approach to transportation actually serves community needs, Maxwell seemed more concerned with the procedural drama.

When discussing the Broadway widening project—a notorious boondoggle that destroyed numerous local businesses—Maxwell offered this tepid critique: "Broadway was originally supposed to be 8 lanes. Okay, it ended up being 6."

Maxwell conveniently ignored how this project devastated a vibrant business corridor, prioritized car traffic over sustainable transportation, and cost taxpayers millions while delivering questionable benefits. But hey, at least it's only 6 lanes of environmental destruction instead of 8! Progress, right?

The most revealing moment came when DeSimone asked Maxwell about his "flicker of hope" for Tucson. Maxwell couldn't even bring himself to answer directly about the city, instead pivoting to "the region":

"The region is sure. I think there's still a lot of opportunity. We've got a lot of space. We've got a lot of, we've got a major university that can provide students that hopefully won't do graduation at the airport. They will start staying here."

This moment captured perfectly the contempt these conservative voices have for Tucson itself—a diverse, increasingly progressive city that represents everything their worldview rejects.

DeSimone made this explicit, stating: "I'm done with any hope for the city of Tucson and most of Pima County." When pushed about whether there was any hope for the city, he responded, "I'm kind of optimistic. I've got to be optimistic because I'm not leaving."

To which Maxwell quipped: "You haven't done any fentanyl before you said that?"

Ah yes, the height of conservative humor: implying that only someone on drugs could be optimistic about a city led by progressives.

The Silences Speak Volumes: What Wasn't Discussed

What was notably absent from this nearly two-hour conversation was any substantial discussion of:

Climate change: Despite talking about wildfire dangers, neither guest mentioned the role of climate change in exacerbating fire conditions. Instead, they focused exclusively on forest management practices while ignoring the broader climate context.
Indigenous perspectives: In a region with significant Native American populations and on land stolen from indigenous peoples, their perspectives and traditional ecological knowledge were completely absent from the conversation.
Immigration humanity: While briefly mentioning the county's lawsuit against the federal government over immigration reimbursements, the human impact of harsh border policies was ignored.
Racial equity: In a region where communities of color are disproportionately impacted by transportation decisions, housing insecurity, and climate change, these voices were entirely missing from the conversation.
Public transit: The RTA discussion centered almost exclusively on roads for cars, with minimal attention to public transit needs for low-income communities.

At one point, DeSimone even mocked the idea of teaching journalism with attention to equity, showing his disdain for efforts to make media more representative of diverse communities: "Do they teach objectivity? I think you just answered it."

Shearer responded: "You know, why should you have to teach that? Don't you just kind of understand it?"

Ah yes, because white men inherently understand "objectivity" without any critical examination of their own biases or the structural inequities in media. How convenient.

Romero as Rival's Right Hand? The Lieutenant Governor Lottery

In perhaps the most revealing moment of right-wing wishful thinking, DeSimone and Maxwell spent considerable time discussing Mayor Regina Romero as a potential Lieutenant Governor candidate for the Democratic ticket. This new political position—approved by Arizona voters but not yet implemented—has apparently become the subject of much Capitol corridor chatter.

"Interesting enough because it does impact our region," Maxwell noted, "the names that they're hearing right now up there for what's possible for Lieutenant Governor is the first one that was listed in the article, is Regina Romero."

DeSimone's response exposed the visceral contempt these conservative voices harbor for Tucson's first Latina mayor: "I want that to happen. I want it to happen. That would be great. I want the whole state to know how much she sucks."

And there it is, folks—the mask-off moment. No policy critiques, no substantive disagreements—just raw, unfiltered antipathy toward one of Southern Arizona's most prominent progressive leaders.

Maxwell, attempting to appear more measured, acknowledged Romero's political strengths: "It's interesting about Mayor Romero in this case is because Southern Arizona roots, Latina. There are some things that she could definitely bring to it." But he quickly pivoted to suggest her ambition would be a liability, noting that an article listed as her primary "con" was that "she wants that job too."

In Maxwell's view, the ideal Lieutenant Governor should be "somebody who's going to be loyal, who's not interested in the job and has the capacity to do the job if they end up in it." This revealing comment exposes the problematic view that women—particularly women of color—should be satisfied with secondary roles and not aspire to higher office.

The conversation then descended into speculation about whether Romero would need to resign as Tucson's mayor to run for Lieutenant Governor, with Maxwell noting there wasn't a resignation requirement. DeSimone's response was particularly telling: "She gets to be this spoiled teenage spirited imperial Empress in a job where she's making six figures. Right? No, she can get elected. It doesn't matter how much she runs the city into the toilet."

Ah yes, the "imperial Empress" trope—because powerful women in politics couldn't possibly be skilled leaders, they must be power-hungry royalty. The sexist undertones are about as subtle as a saguaro in a swimming pool.

What this conversation reveals, beyond the personal animosity toward Mayor Romero, is the fundamental conservative anxiety about Arizona's changing political landscape. As more diverse candidates win elections and as progressive policies gain traction, the old guard increasingly resorts to personal attacks and dehumanizing language rather than engaging with policy disagreements.

For Tucsonans who have witnessed Mayor Romero's leadership through challenging times—from pandemic response to infrastructure investments—this contemptuous dismissal feels not just politically motivated but disconnected from the lived experiences of residents who have benefited from her administration's initiatives.

For every DeSimone, Shearer, and Maxwell, there are thousands of Tucsonans working tirelessly for housing justice, climate action, immigrant rights, and transportation equity. These grassroots movements, led by those directly impacted by these issues, offer a vision for a more just and sustainable future that responds to community needs rather than corporate interests.

The path forward requires amplifying these voices and rejecting the narrow, privileged perspectives that dominated this conversation. By building power from the grassroots up, we can create the progressive future that Southern Arizona deserves—one where housing is a human right, transportation serves everyone, and diverse communities thrive.

Beyond the Echo Chamber: What This Means for Our Community

For readers committed to creating a more just and equitable Southern Arizona, this conversation offers a sobering glimpse into the worldview that continues to dominate much of our local media landscape.

When DeSimone and his guests dismiss Mayor Romero and other progressive leaders, mock accommodations for neurodivergent students, dehumanize unhoused people, and ignore climate change, they're not just expressing opinions—they're actively working to maintain systems of power that harm marginalized communities.

As we listen to these voices, we must remember that their perspective represents a shrinking minority in our region. Their contempt for Tucson and progressive policies stems from recognizing that Arizona is changing, becoming more diverse and progressive with each passing year.

Their conversation about the upcoming state elections revealed this anxiety clearly, as they discussed whether conservative candidates like Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson (whom they refer to as "KTR") can maintain power in a changing electoral landscape. DeSimone questioned KTR's relatability despite her connections to the powerful Robson Homes development empire: "I don't know if the average bear connects with KTR." The hosts noted that both Biggs and KTR received endorsements from former President Trump, with KTR apparently "dropping a truckload of money on advertising" and claiming she has Trump's "complete and total endorsement." The tension between their desire to appeal to the "average bear" while advancing policies that harm most Arizonans exposes the fundamental contradiction at the heart of contemporary conservatism.

Getting Involved and Supporting Independent Media

If this analysis resonated with you, there are countless ways to get involved in creating the Southern Arizona we deserve:

Support housing justice: Organizations like the Tucson Tenants Union are fighting for renters' rights and affordable housing.
Advocate for climate action: Join groups like the Tucson Climate Coalition working toward a just transition to renewable energy.
Demand transportation equity: Attend RTA meetings and advocate for public transit investments that serve all communities.
Support independent media: Mainstream media continues to center conservative perspectives. Support The Three Sonorans Substack to keep critical progressive analysis coming to your inbox.

Give a gift subscription

The MAGA echo chamber may be loud, but our collective voice for justice can be louder. Subscribe to The Three Sonorans today and help us continue exposing the right-wing disconnect while amplifying progressive solutions.

What conservative talking points do you find most frustrating in local media? How do you see the disconnect between conservative rhetoric and the lived experiences in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Quotes

"Again, the percentage of people who are kicked to the street with no alternative that are, quote, not on drugs, is such a rarity. It's off the charts. They're all on drugs." - Chris DeSimone, dehumanizing unhoused people while discussing affordable housing
"I honestly don't know how to be slanted because I am so committed to the basic principles of this." - Dan Shearer, claiming journalistic objectivity moments after calling Governor Katie Hobbs "a disaster"
"There was at the front of the room...they said, 'now, here's our box of fidget spinners. Does anybody need'...I'm going to cry here. It's like, dammit, you're in college. What do you mean a fidget spinner?" - Dan Shearer, mocking accommodations for neurodivergent students
"I'm done with any hope for the city of Tucson and most of Pima County." - Chris DeSimone, expressing contempt for urban communities
"Is it the person who used to pay $800 bucks a month for rent, but now it's gone up to $1,200 and they're going to have to move back in with mom and dad...? Or is it people living on the street who are all strung out, who are going to go into a shelter or a place that is provided for them and frankly trash it?" - Dan Shearer, presenting a false binary about unhoused people
"The road as they're doing now, in order to ensure safety, is going to be slowing the car travel on 1st Avenue... it's packed. There's a lot of congestion, and all you're going to do by slowing it down is going to get worse." - Ted Maxwell, prioritizing car speed over pedestrian safety

People Mentioned and Memorable Quotes

Dan Shearer: Editor of Green Valley News, claimed journalistic objectivity while expressing clear conservative bias.
- Quote: "I think Katie Hobbs is a disaster."
Ted Maxwell: RTA board member who defended the transportation authority despite its failures.
- Quote: "You haven't done any fentanyl before you said that?" (responding to DeSimone's claim of optimism about Tucson).
Chris DeSimone: Host of "Wake Up Live" podcast who expressed contempt for Tucson.
- Quote: "I'm done with any hope for the city of Tucson and most of Pima County."
Regina Romero: Mayor of Tucson, criticized throughout the podcast. Maxwell mentioned her as a potential Lieutenant Governor candidate: "And it's interesting about Mayor Romero in this case is because Southern Arizona roots, Latina. There are some things that she could definitely bring to it."
Matt Heinz: Pima County Supervisor who proposed a property tax for affordable housing. His policy was dismissed by Shearer: "This isn't really going to help a whole lot anyway, but it's a push in the right direction."
Farhad Moghimi: RTA Executive Director allegedly targeted for removal by Romero and Heinz according to Maxwell.
Katie Hobbs: Arizona Governor criticized by Shearer.
Andy Biggs: Congressman mentioned as having Trump's endorsement in upcoming election.
Karrin Taylor Robson (referred to as "KTR"): Political candidate also endorsed by Trump, discussed as potentially less relatable than Biggs: "I don't know if the average bear connects with KTR."

Have a scoop or a story you want us to follow up on? Send us a message!