By Assoicated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – Garrett says education will remain in her future
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Even those on the other side of the aisle recognize state Superintendent Sandy Garrett as a consummate politician.
But after almost two decades as arguably Oklahoma's most popular elected official, she's ready to try something else.
Garrett announced earlier this week she doesn't plan to seek re-election for a sixth term as superintendent and will step down at the end of her current term, which runs through 2010.
She says doing so will allow her time to pursue other passions, which include open government and working with children, but her plans are not specific.
She's currently the second-longest-tenured state superintendent in the nation, trailing only Wayne Sanstead of North Dakota.
The 66-year-old Garrett says she wants more flexibility in her life to work on projects that address real needs in Oklahoma.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.