Kathy Hoffman

Kathy Hoffman (born 1985/1986)[1] is an American educator, speech-language pathologist, and politician who served as the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she took her oath of office with her hand placed on top of the book Too Many Moose, which holds special significance for her and her former students.[2][3]

Not to be confused with Käthe Hoffmann.

Kathy Hoffman
22nd Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 2, 2023
GovernorDoug Ducey
Preceded byDiane Douglas
Succeeded byTom Horne
Personal details
Born1985 or 1986 (age 36–37)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Oregon (BA)
University of Arizona (MS)

Hoffman narrowly lost reelection in 2022.

In February 2023, Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College announced Hoffman would join the college to lead special education initiatives.[4]

Education and career

Hoffman earned a bachelor's degree in Japanese Studies at the University of Oregon in 2009 and a master's degree in speech-language pathology from the University of Arizona in 2013. She taught pre-school before beginning her career as a speech-language pathologist. Before running for office, Hoffman worked as a speech-language pathologist at Vail Unified School District and Peoria Unified School District.[5]

Hoffman is fluent in both Japanese and Spanish.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

In 2018, Hoffman defeated former California Republican Congressman Frank Riggs in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction,[6] after Hoffman defeated former state senator David Schapira in the Democratic primary in a surprise upset.[7] She said she was inspired to run after watching the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.[8] Hoffman participated in Arizona’s Citizen’s Clean Election Commission’s campaign funding program, which provides some campaign funding to participating candidates who forgo special interest and high-dollar contributions, yet out-raised her opponent 2-to-1.[9]

An effort to recall Hoffman was launched on February 11, 2021, with supporters having until June 11, 2021 to collect 574,832 signatures to initiate a recall election. Recall supporters criticized Hoffman for allegedly violating her oath of office, particularly in regards to the impact of COVID-19 in schools. The June deadline for signatures was not met and no recall election occurred.[10] The recall effort was led by We the People AZ Alliance, an organization that promotes election fraud conspiracy theories. This group led several other failed recall attempts as well, against the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, Republican Governor Doug Ducey, and Republican State Senator Paul Boyer.[11]

Hoffman sought reelection in 2022, but was defeated by Republican former Superintendent Tom Horne.[12]

Elections
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Democratic primary election, 2018[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathy Hoffman 254,566 52.27
Democratic David Schapira 232,419 47.73
Total votes 484,748 100.0
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2018[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathy Hoffman 1,185,457 51.56
Republican Frank Riggs 1,113,781 48.44
Total votes 2,299,238 100.0
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction election, 2022[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Horne 1,256,406 50.13
Democratic Kathy Hoffman (incumbent) 1,247,218 49.76
Write-in 2,900 0.12
Total votes 2,506,524 100.0

References
  1. Flaherty, Joseph (November 12, 2018). "AP: First-Time Candidate Kathy Hoffman Wins Arizona Superintendent Race".
  2. "Hoffman takes oath of office on children's book • Arizona Mirror".
  3. "Sworn in With Hand on Children's Favorite "Too Many Moose," Arizona's New Head of Public Schools Vows to Put Students and Teachers First". Common Dreams. Commondreams.org. January 8, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  4. "Former Arizona DOE superintendent joins ASU". ASU News. February 15, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  5. Flaherty, Joseph (August 30, 2018). "Can This 32-Year-Old Teacher Be Arizona's Next Superintendent?".
  6. Flaherty, Joseph (November 12, 2018). "AP: First-Time Candidate Kathy Hoffman Wins Arizona Superintendent Race".
  7. Campbell, Katie (August 29, 2018). "Hoffman victorious in schools chief Democratic primary – Arizona Capitol Times". azcapitoltimes.com.
  8. "What experience does a state superintendent need, and does Kathy Hoffman have it?".
  9. "Republicans have cash edge in expensive campaigns for Arizona's statewide offices".
  10. "Kathy Hoffman recall, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (2021)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  11. "Recall effort against 4 Maricopa County supervisors falls short".
  12. "Arizona Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announces bid for reelection". KTAR.com. April 27, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  13. https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/2018%200910%20Signed%20Statewide%20Canvass.pdf
  14. "Arizona Election Results". results.arizona.vote.
  15. "General Election Statewide Recount Results" (PDF). Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
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