TAMRA FARAH: Kimberly Yee’s Showdown with Tom Horne Could Shape Arizona’s Educational Future

By Tamra Farah |

Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee has officially declared her candidacy for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, positioning herself against incumbent Tom Horne in the upcoming 2026 primary election. Both candidates are Republicans and hold statewide office. With Yee term-limited as Treasurer, the election will focus on who is better suited to address the pressing issues facing the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the state’s K-12 educational landscape.

The role of Superintendent carries significant weight. This individual oversees the ADE, manages educational policy, allocates state and federal funds, and ensures compliance across 200 districts and numerous charter schools, affecting approximately 1.1 million students. Key responsibilities include educational choice, policy formulation, and academic performance.

One central issue in educational choice is the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). The program has expanded under Horne’s leadership, with participation rising from 12,000 to approximately 85,000 students. Despite this growth, concerns persist. A recent Heritage Foundation survey indicated that 65% of parents struggle to connect with ADE staff regarding ESA issues, while nearly half reported curriculum request denials due to new documentation requirements.

Horne has criticized these regulations, stating, “We are supporting the Goldwater Institute in challenging it in court…” This response comes amid challenges to a directive from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, which mandated stricter documentation for ESA purchases. The results have left many ESA parents dissatisfied, with 66% expressing frustrations with the program’s administration.

Yee, a proponent of school choice, emphasized her experience advocating for ESAs and vowed to streamline the program if elected. “I will protect and preserve school choice in Arizona and ensure the ESA program is run efficiently,” she stated. Her stance highlights a perceived overreach by Horne regarding ESA management.

On the policy front, both candidates have addressed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in schools. Horne is actively implementing policies to eliminate DEI practices, invoking a federal mandate that threatens funding for non-compliance. Conversely, Mayes has opposed this enforcement, arguing that such actions lack legal backing.

Horne maintains a parent hotline to monitor compliance with DEI policies and has reported mixed responses from local schools. In contrast, Yee, during her tenure as Treasurer, has also taken a stand against DEI, asserting, “As superintendent, my administration will not only clean up woke DEI policies from day one but will ensure funding is immediately removed from schools that continue such practices.”

Academically, Arizona has struggled since its public school systems were included in national rankings. Under Horne, proficiency rates have dropped, with recent assessments showing 4th graders’ reading scores declining. In response, Horne has initiated 15 improvement initiatives, but concrete results remain to be seen. Yee advocates returning to foundational education principles, emphasizing a focus on traditional skills in reading and math.

As they move forward, both candidates tout their extensive backgrounds in education and public service. Yee has significantly increased investment earnings as Treasurer and is a longtime advocate for financial literacy in schools. Meanwhile, Horne draws on his previous experience as Superintendent and his tenure as Arizona Attorney General to bolster his campaign.

The primary election on August 4, 2026, will set the direction for Arizona’s educational future. Voters are encouraged to evaluate the candidates’ proposals critically. Effective administration of the ESA and improvements in academic performance should be top priorities as the state seeks robust leadership for its education system.

Tamra Farah leads AmericanStrategies.org and has twenty years of experience in public policy and journalism, focusing on individual liberty and limited government.