Lawmaker calls for Hofmeister to resign

Another lawmaker has called for state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to resign.

State Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, said Thursday the superintendent cannot represent the best interests of Oklahoma’s children or public school employees while preparing to fight a criminal charge.

Hofmeister, a Tulsa Republican, was charged in November with four felony counts involving her 2014 campaign. She denies wrongdoing.

“The evidence already collected and released to the public as part of these felony counts shows a willingness to operate outside of the scope of law,” said Ritze, a physician. “It is my duty as a legislator to ask that someone in charge of a large state agency, with access to billions of taxpayer dollars, is held responsible to the highest level.”

Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Oklahoma City, was the first legislator to call for her resignation. He said Dec. 8 that the children she was elected to serve deserve better.

Hofmeister’s attorney, Gary Wood, said again Thursday that she will not resign and that she will respond to the criminal charges in court. “She will continue to serve with integrity and dedication,” he said.

Hofmeister, 52, is accused of illegally colluding with a dark money group. Prosecutors alleged she used the group, Oklahomans for Public School Excellence, to secretly accept illegal excessive donations and illegal corporate donations.

She faces two felony counts involving donations to the dark money group and two felony counts of conspiracy. Charged with her in the conspiracy counts are four others.

The case is pending in Oklahoma County District Court. A conference about a preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 15.