Janet Barresi joins CD5 GOP primary, pledges $500k to campaign

Janet Barresi Announces Run for Congress

Conservative Republican, Small Business Owner, Oil and Gas Leader Running for 5th Congressional District of Oklahoma; Commits $500,000 to Fund Campaign

OKLAHOMA CITY--Janet Barresi, a conservative Republican small business owner and former Oklahoma State Superintendent of Schools, announced today that she is running for the 5th Congressional District of Oklahoma to replace U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn.

“I’m a conservative Republican running for Congress because our values are under assault by radical Washington liberals. We must protect the American Dream for our children and grandchildren. There is no getting around it. Today’s Democrat party is trying to fundamentally change our great nation. I can’t watch the Washington circus from the sidelines any longer. I’m in and I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma,” Barresi said.

Barresi continued: “I’ve taken on the liberal establishment, and I’ve got the scars to prove it. I passed real reforms and saved Oklahoma taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. I’ve run successful small businesses for forty years. It is pretty simple, do what you say you will do and don’t spend more money than you take in. Bottom line—Less Washington—more Oklahoma! I’ll defend our Second Amendment rights, and I will stand with President Trump to secure our borders because a strong nation must have strong borders. And I will be an unrelenting voice for the unborn, because by championing life we are defending every child’s right to reach their God-given potential.”

Janet ran a successful dental practice for over 24 years. As a champion of America’s free-enterprise system, she understands the challenges faced by small businesses. As a dentist, she understands the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and will oppose Democrats’ attempts to give the federal government even more control over patients’ medical decisions and she will fight to restore healthcare freedom.

She noted that she is the best candidate to take on and win against the incumbent in this race: “The fact is that Congresswoman Kendra Horn is a liberal Democrat who votes with Nancy Pelosi 85% of the time. We cannot afford another Rubber Stamp for Pelosi in Congress.”

After her husband’s death in 2009, Janet and one of her sons took over the operation of Cosmo Energy, which today is a thriving, fast-growing oil and gas company. With over 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Janet knows that the energy industry creates good-paying jobs for Oklahoma families, which is why she will fight against liberal Democrats’ anti-energy job-killing policies.

Barresi also has years of experience as an education reformer and supporter of education choice. She founded two charter schools -- Independence Charter Middle School and Harding Charter Preparatory High School, that have won numerous accolades for their academic excellence. In 2010, Barresi answered the call to reform Oklahoma’s education system and became the first Republican elected as State Superintendent of Schools. Under her leadership, Barresi improved reading scores using phonics-based instruction and raised achievement for many of the worst performing schools. Barresi led in the effort to bring true transparency and accountability in reporting for everything from academic performance to expenditures of state and federal tax dollars.

In her church, Janet serves on several boards and works in ministries. She has worked in the parish mission in Peru and continues to support their efforts. She has also been an advisor to and assists with financial support to a nonprofit that serves children in the Oklahoma foster care system. Janet is a member of the Oklahoma City Republican Women’s Club and has been active in many Republican Party activities, including serving as a state convention delegate in 2019 and as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2012.

Janet and her husband John have twin sons, Joe and Ben. After John’s death in 2009, Janet and her sons became strong advocates of appropriate mental health treatment, suicide prevention and support for families surviving suicide.

Janet was overjoyed when their family grew with the marriages of Ben to his wife Emmalee and Joe to his wife Erin. Since that time, Janet has assumed her favorite title, “Mimi,” to her four adorable grandchildren. The entire family anxiously awaits the birth of a fifth grandchild in the spring of 2020.

Learn more: janet2020.com.