Liberal Democrats praised Oklahoma State School Superintendent Joy Hofmeister after she announced she was switching parties from a lifelong registered Republican to Democrat.

According to a press release from the Oklahoma Democrat Party, “The Oklahoma Democrat Party welcomes Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to the Oklahoma Democrat Party.  This addition is more than the commencement of a robust primary; it is also a signal that Oklahomans of good conscience are waking up to the extremism of the Republican Party in Oklahoma.”

Hofmeister made the switch because she is more liberal than conservative and she believes can defeat Gov. Kevin Stitt, a true Republican,  the 2022 gubernatorial campaign. Hofmeister didn’t have much a chance to beat Stitt in the GOP primary.

“We look forward to our primary campaign and election and will enthusiastically support the nominee of our Party,” according to the ODP.

As of October 7, the primary consists of former State Senator, Connie Johnson who announced her candidacy in May.

“Oklahoma has been subjected to an extreme right-wing ideology for too long and it has hurt our state and its citizens.  Perhaps we are seeing this spell finally break,” said Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democrat Party.

So far, Hofmeister has the support of the Oklahoma Education Association.

OEA President Katherine Bishop said, “Joy Hofmeister has shown her love for and dedication to children and education during her tenure as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She’s worked hard to hold every public school accountable to parents and patrons, and she’s pushed for policies to keep students and employees safe and in school during this unprecedented pandemic. Now that she is running for Governor, we will be inviting Joy and the other gubernatorial candidates to participate in a member-driven interview process.”