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Christopher Thomas

Director of Legal Strategy for Education Policy

Christopher Thomas is Director of Legal Strategy for Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute, where he leads Goldwater’s legal strategy for policy matters related to education. 

Prior to joining Goldwater, Chris provided legal representation to education entities throughout Arizona in private practice. He also served for over 20 years as Associate Executive Director and General Counsel for the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA), providing legal and policy guidance to Arizona school districts and charter schools, while championing local control of education and non-partisan approaches to education governance. During his time at the ASBA, he oversaw the association’s legal advocacy program, which included the lawsuit that resulted in Proposition 123. 

Chris has also served as a staff member in the Arizona Legislature and lobbyist for multiple public entities.

Chris has lived in Arizona since the age of 7, when his military family settled in the Grand Canyon State. He now lives in Phoenix with his wife and two daughters.

He received his B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from the University of Nebraska.

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