OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Former state Education Board member Joy Hofmeister has won the Republication nomination for Oklahoma state school superintendent.
Hofmeister defeated incumbent Janet Barresi and challenger Brian Kelly in Tuesday's primary election. She'll face one of four Democrats in the running for that party's nomination.
Barresi was first elected to office in 2010 at the height of the tea party movement and vowed to reform the state's public education system.
But her inability to win support from some educators, administrators and parents had left her vulnerable to challengers within her own party.
Hofmeister had been critical of the A-F grading scale for public schools, which Barresi endorsed. Hofmeister said the system was not useful or reliable.
Democrats Deskin, Cox advance in school chief race
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Charter school founder Freda Deskin and longtime educator John Cox have advanced to a runoff for the Democratic nomination for Oklahoma state school superintendent.
Deskin and Cox topped two other candidates in Tuesday's primary election. The winner of the Aug. 26 runoff will take on former state Board of Education member Joy Hofmeister, who won the GOP nomination Tuesday.
Deskin has taught at the primary and post-secondary levels. She was a dean at Oklahoma City University and founded a charter school in Oklahoma City.
Deskin has said her priorities are attracting and retaining high quality teachers, holding schools accountable and restoring local control.
Cox has worked in public education for three decades as a teacher, principal and superintendent.
Cox says protecting local control and supporting teachers are his main priorities.