California School Board Candidate Accused of Using Sexist AI Ad Against Opponent
Amy Flicker claims opponent David Miyashiro used generative AI to create a deceptive campaign flyer depicting her in a stereotyped role.
A contentious school board race in California has been thrust into controversy following allegations that a trustee candidate, David Ray Miyashiro, employed a sexist artificial intelligence advertisement against his opponent, Amy Flicker. The election for a trustee seat on the San Dieguito Union High School District is scheduled for November 3.
Miyashiro, the superintendent of the Cajon Valley School District, is competing against Flicker, a former Encinitas Planning and Environmental commissioner. The San Dieguito Faculty Association (SDFA), a labor union representing over 600 educators and staff in the district, claimed that Miyashiro utilized artificial intelligence to generate what they described as "deceptive, sexist imagery" in a campaign flyer distributed on October 11.
The flyer in question allegedly featured a side-by-side comparison of the candidates. On one side, Flicker was depicted in front of a table laden with baked goods, with the caption "Non-Profit volunteer." On the other side, Miyashiro was shown seated before a microphone, labeled "District superintendent." The flyer posed the question: "The choice is obvious. Who is more qualified to be a school board trustee in Sand Dieguito?"
Flicker expressed her dismay, stating in an SDFA news release, "Using AI technology to manipulate the likeness of a female candidate and diminish my public service into a condescending stereotype is both ethically dubious and deeply concerning for someone seeking a position in educational leadership." She added, "Our school district should be modeling digital citizenship, integrity, and media literacy for our students—not using generative AI tools to mislead voters and target female leaders."
All current members of the San Dieguito Union High School District (SDUHHD) board are not seeking re-election. The departing members include current President Jane Lea Smith, Trustee Phan Anderson, and Vice President Rimga Viskanta. Viskanta is currently running for Mayor of Encinitas.
Flicker stated that Viskanta, who holds the seat, encouraged her to run. Flicker emphasized her long-standing aspiration to serve as a trustee. During her campaign, Flicker has highlighted her engagement with the evolving landscape of AI, noting the rapid increase in student AI usage for homework. She voiced concerns about the responsible integration of AI into education, asserting the need for a board literate in AI to guide its application in classrooms.
Miyashiro has not publicly detailed his stance on AI usage in his campaign. His stated emphasis has been on listening to students' voices and needs, advocating for policies driven by community input rather than personal agendas.
The use of AI in political campaigns has become a contentious issue in California. The Fair Political Practices Commission mandates that campaign advertisements clearly disclose if they utilize AI or have been substantially altered by it. Over $16 million was reportedly spent on campaign ads featuring AI-generated or manipulated content during the 2026 midterm campaigns, according to CNN.
Examples of AI use in campaigns include Republican candidate Steve Hilton, who has employed AI-generated videos of political figures in his advertisements. The Daily Mail has reached out to Miyashiro, Flicker, and Viskanta for comments, as well as the SDFA and the SDUHHD.