Tom Horne leads GOP nomination for Arizona school superintendent

PHOENIX — Tom Horne is the leading Republican candidate for Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction as results continued to trickle in Wednesday morning.

Horne, former Arizona school superintendent from 2003 to 2011, had nearly 43% of the votes compared to Shiry Sapir’s 32% and Michelle Udall’s 25%, according to the Arizona Secretary of State office.

If he moves on to the general election, he will face Democratic incumbent Kathy Hoffman, who was elected in 2019.

In an interview with KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show prior to the primary, Horne said Arizona public education needs to have more academic and financial accountability.

He said he would work to ensure accountability was carried with the resources being provided.

Horne added he wants to divert attention away from critical race theory and sexual identity issues and focus on academics and increasing test scores.

He previously served as Arizona attorney general from 2011 to 2015 before losing to current officeholder Mark Brnovich in the 2014 Republican primary.

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