For Immediate Release | Contact: Karina Henderson, (405) 427-3366

Oklahoma City, OK - Todd Goodman, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, today issued this statement regarding the announcement from State Superintendent Sandy Garrett that she will not seek re-election:

"The Oklahoma Democratic Party is saddened to hear that State Superintendent Sandy Garrett will not be seeking re-election in 2010.  Superintendent Garrett has worked to ensure that a generation of Oklahomans could obtain a quality public education.  She fought for safer schools, more rigorous classroom standards and the resources to give every child the opportunity to succeed.  We are grateful for her 20 years of service to the state of Oklahoma, and we hope she will continue to serve as an advocate for the children of our state.

"Superintendent Garrett has proven the importance of having a strong Democrat in the office of State Superintendent of Schools.  With a Republican legislature that seems determined to gut public school regulations and funding, rather than look out for the interests of Oklahoma children, it is critical that our next Superintendent will seek to strengthen, not destroy, our schools.  We must keep the decades-old promises we made to our children, such as classroom size limits instituted under Republican Gov. Henry Bellmon.

"We anticipate having a strong Democratic nominee in 2010 and look forward to a rigorous debate about the future of public education in Oklahoma – which is tied to the future of our state."