State prosecutors Tuesday dropped several felony charges against current Oklahoma’s state education chief Joy Hofmeister that were filed in November over conduct in her 2014 campaign against then-incumbent Superintendent Janet Barresi.
Hofmeister, a Republican, was accused of conspiring with several others to funnel money from a donor corporation and two education groups into an independent expenditure fund that would finance a negative campaign ad against Barresi. Hofmeister ultimately won the Republican primary.
Hofmeister was charged with “knowingly accepting contributions in excess of the maximum amounts” and two counts of “conspiracy to commit a felony.” She faced 10 years in prison on the two conspiracy counts and a year on each of the two campaign finance violations, according to the AP.
During a press conference Tuesday, she thanked her supporters and said she planned to run again in next year’s race, according to the The Oklahoman.
Asked about seeking reelection, Hofmeister says “absolutely.” Says she committed to reelection last year.
— Ben Felder (@benfelder_okc) August 1, 2017