fight. when it came to supporting our teachers, i led the way. and when it came to fighting for our public schools, especially our rural schools, i was there. and state superintendent of public instruction hofmeister is outfront. so, superintendent, lifelong republican and i know a proud one throughout your life. and now, making a decision not just to leave your party but join the democratic one. why? well first of all, thank you, erin, for having me. and, you know, this has not been a swift decision. but one where i ve had a lot of personal reflection. um, watching the leadership here in um our governor s office. where really, governor stitt has hijacked the republican party here in oklahoma. and the extremism and divisive partisanship has really left a lot of oklahomans behind, and i think there s too much to fight for to simply let that go.