Hoffman Backs Yee to Challenge Horne for SPI

In a move that’s sure to shake up Arizona’s political landscape, State Treasurer Kimberly Yee (R) has filed paperwork to mount a primary challenge against current Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tom Horne. Yee, a seasoned figure in Arizona politics and the highest-ranking Republican woman elected statewide, appears ready to return to the electoral arena as she nears her term limit as Treasurer.

Senator Jake Hoffman (R-15), a leading voice for school choice and a staunch ESA proponent, is backing Yee for SPI. Early reactions from the homeschool and ESA community suggest enthusiasm for Yee is already building.

In April 2025, Hoffman telegraphed the coming showdown, writing on X, “Tom Horne is the greatest threat to school choice and the ESA program in Arizona. He will lose to the Democrat in the 2026 general election. Arizona needs a strong, pro-school-choice candidate for this crucial office. I’m working on identifying that candidate now.”

It looks like the candidate is Kimberly Yee. Social media lit up late last night as word spread.

Surprise Councilman Johnny Melton, known online as @RinoLivesMatter, chimed in, posting, “Gotta be honest, didn’t see this coming. I love Kimberly and have the greatest respect for her. I hope she gave the old man a heads-up before publicly ending his career like this.” He added, “She could’ve allowed him to exit the race with dignity. Now she’s gonna end his career with an election loss. I kinda feel bad for him.”

The broader sentiment is that Yee will likely unite the ESA crowd, traditional Republicans, Freedom Caucus conservatives, and even some moderate Democrats. Horne, the former Attorney General and current Superintendent, has been actively collecting signatures for his reelection bid. For months, political observers have anticipated that he would run again. But Yee’s entry changes the stakes dramatically.

This primary now becomes a heavyweight bout between two well-known Republican leaders, both with long resumes, statewide name recognition, and starkly different styles.

Yee, known for her disciplined conservatism and measured leadership, offers a steady hand and polished persona. Horne, never afraid to court controversy, has built his second act on culture-war crusades in the classroom, earning both praise and scorn from the GOP base.

The race comes down to a decision as to which direction Republicans want to take education. Do they want a buttoned-up fiscal conservative like Yee? Or a brawler like Horne? A press conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. this morning on the Senate lawn.

The Arizona Globe will continue to cover this story as new developments emerge.