Joy Hofmeister
14th Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction
In office
January 12, 2015 – January 9, 2023
GovernorMary Fallin
Kevin Stitt
Preceded byJanet Barresi
Succeeded byRyan Walters
Personal details
Born (1964-09-07) September 7, 1964
Political partyRepublican (before 2021)
Democratic (2021–present)
SpouseGerald Hofmeister
Children4
EducationTexas Christian University (BA)
University of Oklahoma (MA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Joy Lynn Hofmeister (née Janosky, born September 7, 1964) is an American educator and politician who served as the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2015 to 2023. Hofmeister was sworn in as Oklahoma's 14th State Superintendent on January 12, 2015, after defeating the incumbent Republican candidate, Janet Barresi, in the primary election and Democratic candidate John Cox in the general election. Hofmeister was re-elected on November 6, 2018, and sworn in for a second four-year term as State Superintendent on January 14, 2019. Hofmeister won re-election after facing Democrat John Cox a second time, as well as independent candidate Larry Huff.

On October 7, 2021, Hofmeister changed her party affiliation to the Democratic Party and ran in the 2022 gubernatorial election, losing to incumbent Gov. Kevin Stitt. As a result of her switch, she became the only Democratic statewide elected official in Oklahoma and the first to hold office since 2011. She is the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Oklahoma.

Education and career

Hofmeister is a former public school teacher and owner of a Kumon afterschool program business from Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] In the private sector, she spent 15 years operating Kumon Math & Reading Centers of South Tulsa.[2] This organization works through parent partnerships to ensure higher academic achievement for children. During that time she personally worked with more than 4,000 students to improve their educational outcomes.

Hofmeister graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from Texas Christian University.[3] As of May 2015, she is earning her master's degree in Education Administration with a specialty in Education Policy and Law from the University of Oklahoma.

In January 2012, Hofmeister was appointed to the Oklahoma State Board of Education by Governor Mary Fallin to fill the vacancy left by Phil Larkin Jr., who had vacated the seat after he was elected to Tulsa's city council.[3] While serving on the State Board of Education, Hofmeister opposed Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi's A-F grading scale for schools.[4][5] She resigned from the board on April 24, 2013.[6]

State Superintendent

2014 campaign

The Tulsa World had been speculating that State Superintendent Janet Barresi would face a serious primary challenge since October 2012.[7] On April 24, 2013, Hofmeister resigned from the Oklahoma State Board of Education to consider a run for State Superintendent.[8] On January 7, 2014, Hofmeister announced her exploratory campaign's steering committee, which included 20 Republican state legislators.[9] In her formal campaign announcement, Hofmeister denounced what she called the Barresi "reign of terror," critiquing the incumbent for a "cookie cutter" and "one size fits all" approach to education reform.[1][10]

During the campaign Barresi requested copies, under Oklahoma's open records laws, of all emails Hofmeister had exchanged with Jenks Public Schools since 2007. Hofmeister had been a parent of a JPS student and served on the board of the Jenks Public Schools Foundation.[11] Two of Barresi's campaign staffers reviewed over 7,000 pages of emails.[12] The campaign later requested all emails between Hofmeister and Tulsa Public Schools, Sand Springs Public Schools, Sapulpa Public Schools, and Union Public Schools.[13]

Barresi had a financial lead over Hofmeister throughout the campaign,[14][15] ultimately spending almost $910,000 of her own money.[15] Hofmeister, however, led in Republican primary polls,[16] and won the June 2014 Republican primary, defeating Barresi.[17] She defeated Democrat John Cox in the November general election.[18] She was sworn in as Oklahoma's 14th Superintendent of Public Instruction on January 12, 2015.[2]

First term

Assessment and accountability

In 2016, Hofmeister led the charge to eliminate statewide end-of-instruction (EOI) exams for high school students, reducing the number of standardized tests to only those required under federal law (except US History), thereby significantly reducing testing costs.[19]

College and career readiness

In 2015, under Hofmeister's leadership, the Oklahoma State Department of Education created a statewide program for all high school juniors to take the ACT at no cost to families or schools.[20] The program was expanded to allow a district to choose between ACT or SAT in 2016.[21] In 2017, the program sparked a 29 percent increase in ACT participation.[22]

2014 campaign finance

In 2014, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater announced his office was investigating complaints alleging that Hofmeister's campaign for superintendent and a "dark money" PAC.[23] The investigation stemmed from emails the District Attorney's office received from the campaign of Janet Barresi, Hofmeister's opponent. Hofmeister had allegedly met with Chad Alexander in April 2013, and Alexander later ran an anti-Barresi PAC. Hofmeister denounced the investigation as politically motivated.[24]

Hofmeister was arrested in 2016, and charged with conspiracy and campaign finance violations in Oklahoma County. She denied wrongdoing and said: "I will vigorously defend my integrity and reputation against any suggestion of wrongdoing ... And I will fight the allegations that have been made against me."[25] Oklahoma Democrats, as well as a few Republicans, called for Hofmeister to resign.[26][27][28]

On August 1, 2017, District Attorney David Prater dismissed all charges against Hofmeister. Charges against four other defendants were also dropped.[29] Hofmeister said, "I knew I was innocent and that I had conducted myself appropriately, and I am happy that this day has come."[29] Prater confirmed in 2018 that the charges "will not be revived ... There is nothing there to look at."[30]

2018 campaign

Second term

The conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute rated the Oklahoma ESSA accountability plan, included in "Oklahoma Edge," among the highest in the nation.[31]

Teacher compensation

In 2018, the Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 1010xx, which raised more than half a billion dollars in revenue for the state. The landmark legislation, the first to earn the required three-fourths majority in both chambers since 1992, allowed for the first teacher pay raise in 10 years – an average salary increase of $6,100 for certified personnel. In addition, all full-time school support staff received a pay increase of $1,250.[32] This measure was a significant victory for Hofmeister, who had advocated for competitive teacher pay since first taking office.[33]

Trauma-informed instruction

Hofmeister has worked to initiate a discussion surrounding mental health and resiliency for children, exploring the science of childhood trauma and its effects on learning. The Oklahoma State Department of Education organized statewide summits in 2018 and 2019, offering training for educators who are often the first to encounter trauma in individual children.[34] Hofmeister is also pursuing the addition of a School Counselor Corps to increase the number of counselors in schools.[35]

2022 gubernatorial campaign

In 2021, Hofmeister changed her affiliation from Republican to the Democratic Party to run in the 2022 gubernatorial election.[36] Hofmeister "describes herself as a moderate who can appeal to Oklahoma Republicans dissatisfied with the party’s Trumpist shift to the right" and takes a "centrist approach to many key policy issues, including abortion rights, taxation and teaching about race in schools." Hofmeister, running in reaction against Gov. Kevin Stitt, stated that he had made McGirt v. Oklahoma a political issue. Some Democrats were reported to "believe Hofmeister might be the right candidate to appeal to moderate Republicans willing to cross party lines."[37] In 2022, before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, she had said that abortion is a "healthcare decision between a woman and her doctor, and it needs to stay that way."[38] Hofmeister had clashed with Stitt in the past over school vouchers and education spending.[39]

Personal life

Hofmeister is a mother of four, all of whom attended Jenks Public Schools in Jenks, Oklahoma.[12] Hofmeister served as an officer for the Jenks Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors.[1]

Hofmeister currently lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband Gerald Hofmeister.[40] Hofmeister is a Southern Baptist.[41]

Electoral history

2014

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Republican primary election, 2014[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joy Hofmeister 151,124 57.6
Republican Brian Kelly 56,060 21.4
Republican Janet Barresi (inc.) 55,048 21.0
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Election, 2014[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joy Hofmeister 457,053 55.8
Democratic John Cox 361,878 44.2

2018

Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Republican primary election, 2018[44]   
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joy Hofmeister (incumbent) 200,961   46.8
Republican Linda Murphy    133,230   31.1
Republican Will Farrell    94,899    22.1  
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Republican primary runoff election, 2018[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joy Hofmeister (incumbent) 167,117   56.7  
Republican Linda Murphy    127,732   43.3  
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Election, 2018[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joy Hofmeister (incumbent) 687,468   58.5  
Democratic John Cox 396,901   33.8  
Independent Larry Huff 90,510   7.7  

2022

2022 Democratic primary results[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joy Hofmeister 101,851 60.7
Democratic Connie Johnson 65,823 39.3
Total votes 167,674 100.0
2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Stitt (incumbent) 639,484 55.45
Democratic Joy Hofmeister 481,904 41.79
Libertarian Natalie Bruno 16,243 1.41
Independent Ervin Yen 15,653 1.36
Total votes 1,153,284 100.0
Republican hold

References

  1. 1 2 3 Eger, Andrea (January 27, 2014). "Joy Hofmeister enters state superintendent's race". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Joy Hofmeister sworn in as Oklahoma schools superintendent". Oklahoma Department of Education. January 12, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Fallin names Tulsa woman to fill state school board vacancy". Tulsa World. January 14, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  4. ↑ Archer, Kim (March 30, 2012). "Board of Education approves A to F grading system for Oklahoma". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  5. ↑ Archer, Kim (October 9, 2012). "A-F report cards for Oklahoma schools delayed by Board of Education". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  6. ↑ Eger, Andrea (April 24, 2013). "State Board of Education member resigns, considers run for state superintendent". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  7. ↑ Greene, Wayne (October 14, 2012). "Political Report, Wayne Greene: Barresi becoming political hot potato". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  8. ↑ Eger, Andrea (April 25, 2013). "State school board member from Tulsa area resigns, may challenge Barresi". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  9. ↑ Eger, Andrea (January 7, 2014). "Potential challenger to Barresi announces steering committee". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022. The 20 Republican lawmakers are: Sen. Patrick Anderson of Enid, Rep. Don Armes of Cache, Sen. Don Barrington of Lawton, Rep. Gus Blackwell of Laverne, Rep. Dennis Casey of Morrison, Rep. Lee Denney of Cushing, Rep. David Derby of Owasso, Rep. Dale DeWitt of Braman, Sen. Eddie Fields of Wynona, Sen. A.J. Griffin of Guthrie, Rep. Katie Henke of Tulsa, Rep. Arthur Hulbert of Fort Gibson, Rep. Skye McNeil of Bristow, Rep. Lewis Moore of Edmond, Rep. Glen Mulready of Jenks, Rep. Jadine Nollan of Sand Springs, Rep. Charles Ortega of Altus, Rep. Dustin Roberts of Durant, Sen. Frank Simpson of Ardmore, and Rep. Todd Thomsen of Ada.
  10. ↑ Eger, Andrea (January 28, 2014). "Tulsa Republican slams Barresi's 'reign of terror' in campaign announcement". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  11. ↑ Archer, Kim (March 17, 2014). "Barresi campaign seeks record of Hofmeister contact with Jenks Schools". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Archer, Kim (April 26, 2014). "Barresi staffers inspect communications records between Hofmeister, Jenks Public Schools employees". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  13. ↑ Eger, Andrea (May 16, 2014). "Janet Barresi campaign asks schools for correspondence with rival candidate Joy Hofmeister". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  14. ↑ Eger, Andrea (August 1, 2013). "In fundraising, Barresi has a contender for state superintendent in Tulsan Joy Hofmeister". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Eger, Andrea (June 18, 2014). "State superintendent primary race sees big Barresi cash-infusion, little Democratic spending". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  16. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (June 23, 2014). "Poll: Joy Hofmeister leads Janet Barresi by 13 points in superintendent race". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  17. ↑ Eger, Andrea (June 24, 2014). "Hofmeister wins Republican primary; Barresi finishes third". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  18. ↑ Eger, Andrea (November 5, 2014). "Joy Hofmeister victorious in state superintendent's race". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Oklahoma House votes to abolish high schools' end-of-instruction testing". NewsOK.com. May 23, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  20. ↑ Schammert, Bill (August 19, 2015). "Dept. of Education: Free ACT testing for Oklahoma juniors". KOKH. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Oklahoma public high school juniors can take ACT or SAT free under State Department of Education program | Oklahoma State Department of Education". sde.ok.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  22. ↑ "100 percent Oklahoma students taking ACT expected to increase college enrollment". NewsOK.com. September 8, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  23. ↑ Clay, Nolan (June 19, 2014). "Oklahoma County DA reviewing complaints against Shannon, Hofmeister campaigns". The Oklahoman. Tulsa World. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  24. ↑ Nolan, Clay (August 21, 2014). "Criminal investigation is underway into possible public corruption, campaign violations". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  25. ↑ Clay, Nolan (November 3, 2016). "Oklahoma state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister charged with campaign violations, conspiracy". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  26. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara (November 8, 2016). "Democrats call on Joy Hofmeister to resign in wake of charges". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  27. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara (December 9, 2016). "Legislator latest to call for State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister's resignation". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Rep. Ritze calls for Hofmeister resignation". Tulsa World. December 28, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  29. 1 2 Clay, Nolan; Willert, Tim; Schwab, Kyle (August 1, 2017). "Criminal case against Oklahoma schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, four others dropped". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  30. ↑ Felder, Ben (October 3, 2018). "DA: Investigation into state superintendent is 'dead'". The Oklahoman. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Rating the Ratings | The Thomas B. Fordham Institute". edexcellence.net. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Governor Fallin Signs Historic Teacher Pay, State Employee Raise Deal". www.news9.com. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  33. ↑ Southern, Associated Press, eCapitol, Christie (January 27, 2015). "Hofmeister Unveils Five-Year Education Plan". www.kgou.org. Retrieved February 7, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ↑ "OSDE hosts groundbreaking summit to combat state's high student trauma rankings | Oklahoma State Department of Education". sde.ok.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Board approves Hofmeister's request of $3.35 billion in classroom investment | Oklahoma State Department of Education". sde.ok.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  36. ↑ Eger, Andrea. "Joy Hofmeister to flip parties, challenge Kevin Stitt for governor in 2022". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Hofmeister is running as a Democrat. Would she govern like one?". Read Frontier. October 22, 2021.
  38. ↑ "FOX23 speaks with Joy Hofmeister on abortion, Swadley's, LGBT+ issues in schools, and CRT". Fox21. May 15, 2022.
  39. ↑ "Defeat of school voucher bill sets up campaign debates in governor, superintendent races". The Oklahoman. April 2022.
  40. ↑ "State Superintendent | Oklahoma State Department of Education". sde.ok.gov. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  41. ↑ Daisy Creager (May 27, 2022). "Hofmeister campaigns in Bartlesville as gubernatorial candidate. What did she have to say?". Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise.
  42. ↑ "June 24 2014 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  43. ↑ "November 04 2014 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  44. ↑ "June 26 2018 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  45. ↑ "August 28 2018 Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  46. ↑ "November 06 2018 Oklahoma State Election Board Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  47. ↑ "June 28 2022". okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  48. ↑ "November 08 2022 Oklahoma Official Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
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