State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is running for governor — as a Democrat.
The 57-year-old lifelong Republican told the Tulsa World in an exclusive interview that she is changing her party registration on Thursday in order to launch a bid to unseat Republican incumbent Kevin Stitt.

Hofmeister
“Gov. Stitt is running the state into the ground,” said Hofmeister. “Through extremism, partisanship, ineffective leadership, he is hurting our education system, our health care, our infrastructure.
“And unfortunately, Gov. Stitt has hijacked the Republican Party in Oklahoma.”
The former public school teacher and longtime owner of Kumon Math & Reading Centers in Tulsa was a political novice when she decided to quit as a Mary Fallin-appointee to the Oklahoma State Board of Education and challenge the unpopular Janet Barresi in 2014.
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Hofmeister beat Barresi in the GOP primary, carrying all 77 counties, and defeated John Cox, superintendent of a small Cherokee County school district, in the 2014 and 2018 general elections.
Changing parties and running for governor first crossed her mind, she said, this spring after a full year of being privy to Stitt’s behind-the-scenes handling of a crisis.
“We have a global pandemic, and it mattered who was governor in 2020,” said Hofmeister. “We’ve had 10,000 Oklahomans lost. When you understand now how critical it was to have had a leader who contemplated expert advice and opinion and set an example to help protect Oklahomans, we could have avoided thousands of people dying.”
So what would she have done differently?
“I wouldn’t have churned through four state epidemiologists in the middle of a pandemic,” Hofmeister said. “The policy was that if you ignore reality, somehow it will go away — when leadership mattered in reducing spread. With that strategy, Oklahomans bore the brunt of COVID in their own lives.”
She added: “Our health care workers are disrespected and stretched to the limit. Just as we’ve seen the lack of respect for educators, our health care providers have been standing alone battling a pandemic without the kind of leadership needed from the Governor’s Office.”
As state superintendent, Hofmeister is also privy to the governor’s influence over the nearly 40 commissions and state boards that she leads or serves on. These include the state boards of Education and Career and Technology Education, the Regional University System of Oklahoma, the Board of Equalization, and Commissioners of the Land Office.
From that vantage point, she said, “It is easy to see that when you value the expertise and perspectives of Oklahomans and when you set priorities that match Oklahoma’s values — which are common sense, working together and courage — we have a roadmap that will lead to a better Oklahoma.”
Hofmeister said the state lacks a plan for long-term investments and stability for some of the most important, foundational functions of government here, including public education, health care and rural infrastructure, such as broadband.
“I’m seeing these things erode and relationships are broken, and it all begins at the top,” she said. “Oklahomans don’t like partisanship or pitting neighbor against neighbor, family against family.”
Hofmeister also thinks her leadership style could only aid in the state’s relations with tribal governments, which she said have broken down since Stitt took the helm.
“We need to respect and listen to the input, the perspective and the priorities of the tribal governments within Oklahoma. From the beginning, I have worked to understand that, to listen and to be a collaborator toward the common good of all Oklahomans,” she said before adding: “I will not betray the trust that I have personally established with our tribal nations.”
Hofmeister readily responded to questions about the extraordinarily rare move for a modern Oklahoma politician to switch to the Democratic Party.
But she downplayed its significance in the grand scheme because her ultimate goal is to appeal to Democrats, independents and Republicans alike whose values are not being represented currently.
“My loyalty is to Oklahoma families, not to structures or party,” Hofmeister said. “I am changing parties, but I haven’t changed who I am. I have the same values, and they haven’t changed.
“How do we move Oklahoma forward? It begins with strong families, providing access to quality health care, education and infrastructure.”
Beating an incumbent, let alone one who self-funded his first campaign to the tune of $5 million, is a tall order.
But Hofmeister said she has a proven track record for “staring down threats and partisanship before” while continuing to work professionally to find common ground and build consensus.
“This is a very large challenge. But I am hearing from Oklahomans who want change and who agree with me that Gov. Stitt is driving the state in the wrong direction. They’re tired of partisan politics,” she said.
More than 6½ years after being sworn into political office for the first time, Hofmeister is not only far from her days as a novice, but she views herself and her family as “battle tested” in politics.
She was referring to being charged in November 2016 with four felonies by Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater based on allegations that she and a couple of her GOP campaign associates conspired with an outside group during the 2014 election on negative campaign advertising against her predecessor, Barresi. All charges were dismissed nine months later.
“We know how ugly politics and campaigns can be, and I have proven I am able to work beyond those kinds of setbacks — and have worked with that prosecutor to put together a summit on childhood trauma,” Hofmeister said. “And we continue to have a professional and personal relationship.”
The latest challenge Hofmeister sees as a political attack on both her and on public education is Stitt’s September request for an investigative audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s oversight of state and federal revenues, as well as local schools’ accounting.
“It’s going to be a tough fight,” she said of campaigning against Stitt. “There is too much at stake to not fight for something better.
“And it’s personal. I’m going to be a grandmother for the first time in January, so I think about my new grandbaby and I think about what kind of Oklahoma will that new baby experience.”
Former state Sen. Connie Johnson is also running in the Democratic primary, set for June 28. The general election is Nov. 8, 2022.
Photos: Joy Hofmeister's career so far
Joy Hofmeister

State Board Member Joy Hofmeister at a Board of Education meeting deciding to grant high school diplomas to several Oklahoma students who failed state-mandated end-of-instruction exams, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Photo via The Oklahoman
Joy Hofmeister

Joy Hofmeister announces her candidacy for state superintendent at a press conference at the Tulsa Press Club on Monday, January 27, 2014. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

Challenger Joy Hofmeister speaks as state superintendent Janet Barresi listens during a debate held at Spirit Life Church in Tulsa, OK, June 12, 2014. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

Republican state schools superintendent candidates Janet Barresi and Joy Hofmeister before the start of their debate at the KTUL studios in Tulsa, OK, June 19, 2014. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

Republican challenger for state schools superintendent Joy Hofmeister speaks to her supporters after Janet Barresi conceded the race at her watch party at the Hilton Garden Inn in Oklahoma City, OK, June 24, 2014. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

Candidates John Cox (left) and Joy Hofmeister (right) take part in a state school superintendent forum at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla. on Tuesday, October 7, 2014. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

State superintendent-elect Joy Hofmeister (right) chats with Street School students Carlos Stewart (center) and Zach Mamah, during the Street School community dinner, at the school, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

Oklahoma school superintendent-elect Joy Hofmeister listens to a presentation about at-risk students at Webster High School in Tulsa, Okla. on Friday, January 9, 2014. Hofmeister visited the school ahead of taking office on the next Monday. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister speaks during the Brighter Future education rally at the State Capitol March 30, 2015. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Joy Hofmeister

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister (center,right), joins a group of Tulsa Public Schools employees and lobbyists from Stand for Children Oklahoma prior to canvassing the neighborhood around Eugene Field Elementary School in Tulsa, Okla., taken on June 13, 2015. The group was canvassing the West Tulsa neighborhood in the hope of encouraging better student attendance at summer school. Tulsa World File
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State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister speaks at a news conference in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015. Hofmeister announced a $1.5 million program which will allow every high school junior in Oklahoma to have the opportunity to take the ACT college-preparatory test free of charge under a pilot program being launched by state education officials. AP File Photo
Joy Hofmeister

Insurance commissioner John Doak (left), Education Superintendent Joy Hofmeister and Attorney General Scott Pruitt (right) applaud as Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin delivers her state of the state address at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Monday, February 1, 2016. Tulsa World File
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State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister speaks to a group of school teachers and administrators during a forum at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Okla., on Monday, July 18, 2016. Tulsa World File
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Oklahoma State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister talks with Bryce Kegley and Mason Pendley about robotics beofore an announcement about new STEM labs in 5 Mayes County schools at a press conference at the Mid-America Industrial Park in Pryor, OK, Oct. 10, 2016. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Joy Hofmeister

Oklahoma State schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister was charged Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016, with campaign fundraising violations and conspiracy. The charges were dropped in August 2017. Oklahoma County booking photo
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State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joy Hofmeister, poses a question to the large audience made up of teachers, parents and community members during a town hall meeting gathered at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Tulsa to discuss how to strengthen public education in Oklahoma, Tuesday Nov. 15, 2016. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

John Krueger (left) moves down the buffet line as Sally Mulready, Deborah Gist, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent, and Joy Hofmeister, State education superintendent, serve food during a Thanksgiving meal at Street School in Tulsa, Okla., on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. Tulsa World File
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Joy Hofmeister explains the facts and figures in her funding proposal to House members. Despite a nearly $870 million shortfall in next year's Oklahoma state budget, state school Superintendent Joy Hofmeister says public schools need an additional $221 million in the upcoming fiscal year. Hofmeister delivered a budget presentation Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. to Oklahoma House members ahead of the legislative session that begins next month. Oklahoma's public schools received about $1.87 billion in legislative appropriations last year. Hofmeister separately proposed a package to give teachers a $3,000 annual pay raise and add four additional instructional days to the school year. That plan would cost an additional $282 million. Photo via The Oklahoman
Joy Hofmeister

Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister edits her speech with her her husband, Gerald, before addressing media after campaign violation charges were officially dropped at the Oklahoma State Department of Education on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
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Mark Twain Elementary School students (from left) Richard Solis, sixth grade; Aurelio Sotelo, fourth grade; and Rahsaana Finley, fourth grade, show off their artwork at a news conference Tuesday about a specialty license plate contest. Looking at the drawings are state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, left, and state Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Edmond. Photo via The Oklahoman
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Joy Hofmeister stands in the crowd with teachers during the rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on Monday, April 2, 2018. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
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(left) Chris Benge, Sen. Greg Treat and Joy Hofmeister talk during a panel discussion at the Tulsa Regional Chamber Legislative Briefing Breakfast in Tulsa, OK, April 20, 2018. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
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Education lobbyist Tristy Fryer, Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Debroah Gist, Oklahoma State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, Tulsa Public Schools Teacher of the Year Shaniqua Ray, and Executive Director of Impact Tulsa Kathy Seibold speaks during the Tulsa World's Education Forum at Oklahoma State Tulsa on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World Tulsa
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Executive director of Juvenile Affairs Steve Buck, CEO of United Way of Tulsa Alison Anthony, CEO of Street Schools Lori McGinnis-Madland, State superintendent Joy Hofmeister, and Street Schools board president Amy Fortna cut the ribbon in front of the new, second Street School location. Tulsa World File
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Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister addresses a crowd while giving her victory speech during a Republican watch party at the Bricktown Event Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Joy Hofmeister

Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, speaks during a news conference to announce a deal on a $8.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes an average $1,200 pay raise for teachers and tens of millions more dollars for schools, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in Oklahoma City. Looking on are Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, second from left, and Speaker of the Oklahoma House Charles McCall, right. AP File Photo
Joy Hofmeister

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister moderates a discussion with a panel of high school students about what they wish teachers knew, at the Oklahoma State Department of Education's annual conference, hosted at Bixby High School on July 18, 2019. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

Claremore students and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister(right) announce that the Milken Educator Award includes $25,000.00 Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019. The award was presented to teacher Brooke Lee. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Joy Hofmeister

Oklahoma State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister speaks during a press conference at The Greenwood Cultural Center on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
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State school Superintendent Joy Hofmeister makes remarks at a COVID-19 briefing with Gov. Kevin Stitt at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Tulsa World File
Joy Hofmeister

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister talks with students at the Northwoods Fine Arts Academy in Sand Springs who were studying bugs during Sandite Summer Camp. SHARON BISHOP-BALDWIN/Sand Springs Leader
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