With all 1,956 precincts reporting, Hofmeister pulled away early in the Republican primary and never looked back, capturing 151,012 votes (57.6 percent) to advance to the Nov. 4 general election while Barresi — who spent more than a million of her own money on her campaign — finished third behind longshot Brian Kelly.

Kelly, 50, of Edmond, who kept a low profile during the campaign, received 56,014 votes (21.4 percent) and Barresi, 62, of Oklahoma City, got 55,015 votes (21 percent).

Hofmeister, 49, of Tulsa, said she she was surprised by the margin of victory.

“This is not anything we expected this evening,” she said during an appearance in Oklahoma City. “We were fully prepared for a runoff in the summer...so this is certainly exciting. “We understand this is only the first step. We have another race to run.”

Barresi and Hofmeister traded barbs during a contentious primary campaign, with both accusing the other of breaking the law. Hofmeister, who resigned from the state School Board to run against Barresi, characterized her as inflexible, uncommunicative and divisive.

“Reform happens when we work together,” she said.

Barresi, flanked by her twin sons at an upscale Oklahoma City restaurant, vowed to continue pursuing “education reforms” as a “private citizen.”

“Tonight is the end of a political campaign. But tonight is by no means the end of my efforts toward education reform in Oklahoma,” she said. “I will be in the fight, I will stay in the fight. No matter from inside the system or outside, I will fight relentlessly for critical reforms that Oklahoma children deserve.”

The Democratic primary was much more competitive race, with Peggs Superintendent John Cox and Freda Deskin, a charter school founder and operator, advancing to a runoff Aug. 26 for the right to meet Hofmeister in the Nov. 4 general election.

Cox, 51, of Peggs, received 68,833 votes (41 percent) and Deskin, 66, of Edmond, got 64,077 votes (38.2 percent).