Former Oklahoma State School Superintendent Janet Barresi announced her candidacy for the Congressional District Five (Oklahoma City). Barresi will seek the GOP nomination to face Democrat Rep. Kendra Horn in 2020.

“I’m a conservative Republican running for Congress because our values are under assault by radical Washington liberals,” Barresi said in a press release. “We must protect the American Dream for our children and grandchildren. There is no getting around it. Today’s Democrat party is trying to fundamentally change our great nation. I can’t watch the Washington circus from the sidelines any longer. I’m in and I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma.

 “I’ve taken on the liberal establishment, and I’ve got the scars to prove it. I passed real reforms and saved Oklahoma taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. I’ve run successful small businesses for 40 years. It is pretty simple, do what you say you will do and don’t spend more money than you take in. Bottom line—Less Washington—more Oklahoma! I’ll defend our Second Amendment rights, and I will stand with President Trump to secure our borders because a strong nation must have strong borders. And I will be an unrelenting voice for the unborn, because by championing life we are defending every child’s right to reach their God-given potential.”

Barresi ran a dental practice for over 24 years.

“The fact is that Congresswoman Kendra Horn is a liberal Democrat who votes with Nancy Pelosi 85% of the time,” Barresi said. “We cannot afford another rubber stamp for Pelosi in Congress.”

After her husband’s death in 2009, Barresi and one of her sons took over the operation of Cosmo Energy, an oil and gas company.

Barresi founded two charter schools — Independence Charter Middle School and Harding Charter Preparatory High School, that have won numerous accolades for their academic excellence. In 2010, Barresi became the first Republican elected as State Superintendent of Schools. Under her leadership, Barresi improved reading scores using phonics-based instruction and raised achievement for many of the worst performing schools.

In her church, Barresi serves on several boards and works in ministries.  Barresi is a member of the Oklahoma City Republican Women’s Club and has been active in many Republican Party activities, including serving as a state convention delegate in 2019 and as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2012.