Tempe residents and students condemned the social media history of city council candidate Joe Forte, alleging he reposted content calling LGBTQ+ individuals "groomers" and spread election fraud and anti-vaccine messaging.
Forte is the executive director and founder of the non-profit Keep Tempe Beautiful and is running for Tempe City Council in 2026.
READ MORE: Keep Tempe Beautiful is cleaning up the city with the help of ASU students, volunteers
Gabe Hagen, the owner of Brick Road Coffee, posted a PDF to the Facebook group "Tempe NEIGHB’rhood group" on March 27, compiling screenshots of alleged past social media activity from Forte on Truth Social and GETTR.
The posts, reposts and comments made by accounts under Forte's name include election-denying content, anti-vaccine language and rhetoric against drag shows. According to Hagen, his most recent alleged post on Truth Social was on April 29, 2024.
Forte responded to the accusations on March 28, emphasizing that his views have changed, and he remains dedicated to continuing his campaign.
"Like many people, my views have evolved over time," Forte said in a statement. "I own the fact that in the past, I shared posts and content that didn't align with the values I stand for today. I regret those choices and apologize to anyone who felt harmed by them. I've worked hard to listen, learn, and grow, and I'm committed to showing through action that I stand for unity, inclusion, and integrity."
As of now, Forte's Truth Social and GETTR accounts have both been terminated and no longer show up on the platforms.
Soon after Hagen posted the screenshots, Forte posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, a picture of Brick Road Coffee.
"I just want everyone to know that Brick Road Coffee is my favorite coffee shop in Tempe," Forte posted.
Students at the University who have been in contact with Forte regarding his campaign have written a statement against his Tempe city council candidacy.
Jacob Marson, the executive director of the Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition and a junior studying political science, said most of Forte's team is composed of young adults and students from progressive groups on campus.
"We were all looking at Forte as a real candidate to get behind, someone who's younger, someone who told us he understood the issues at hand that we were dealing with," Marson said. "He wanted to start campaigning ... reach out to youth groups, get young people on board, which is effective, but not when we're being fooled."
Marson also said some students are unsure they'll continue to work alongside him.
"He had some good support lined up," Marson said. "I think after some phone calls today, that support is not there anymore at all."
The State Press was sent the following statement signed by Arizona College Democrats, Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition, Unity Rising USA, Young Democrats at Arizona and Young Democrats of Arizona. The statement condemns Forte's alleged social media activity and asks for the suspension of his campaign.
"The City of Tempe, home to 56,000 Arizona State University students, has long upheld the values of equality, inclusion, climate action, and student-centered solutions — values not shared by Forte," the statement reads.
Arizona College Democrats, Keep Arizona Blue Student Coalition, Unity Rising USA, Young Democrats at ASU and Young Democrats of Arizona published a joint statement press release on Tempe City Council candidate Joe Forte's views on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Students said Forte's reposts on social media platforms are a stark difference from his campaign and public ideals. Jacob George, the executive director of Unity Rising USA and a junior studying political science, said Forte has been attempting to appeal to Tempe's progressive voting base by showing himself as a candidate with leftist beliefs. George called him "phony Forte."
"It was a shock to find out everything, especially with him appearing at many Democratic events, running Keep Tempe Beautiful," George said. "Joe Forte recently switched his party to be viable in the city of Tempe, but the truth is, he's the farthest from Democratic or working-class values."
Forte is planning to have his "Campaign Kickoff" launch party on Saturday from 6-8 p.m., hosted by Neil Giuliano, a former mayor of the City of Tempe.
"But some things have always been true: I have always believed in women's rights, rights for LGBTQ+ communities, in peace over war, and in judging people not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," Forte said. "These are the values I was raised with, and they’re still my values today."
George and Marson said they disagree that Forte has changed his stances on issues, but rather changed his party to have a better chance of winning within the city of Tempe.
"I do not believe it for one second," George said. "I think he was just doing it because he wanted to run, and he wanted the power."
George also said even if Forte did change his political beliefs, he should've known his past social media activity would be discovered.
"There's always a track following you," George said. "I hope he would have known that your actions and your digital footprint can catch up to you, and if he didn't know that, he definitely shouldn't be running."
Edited by Sophia Ramirez, Sophia Braccio, Alysa Horton and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at gheadle@asu.edu and @George_Headley7 on X.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
George is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is his third semester with The State Press. He has also worked at Times Media Group.
