Democratic Oklahoma governor candidate Joy Hofmeister said she supports sanctuary cities during a campaign event Saturday.
“You talk about immigration, are you in favor of sanctuary cities?” Hofmeister was asked in a video of the event. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Open Borders Cruelty’: New Ad Blasts Mark Kelly On The Border Two Weeks Before Midterms)
“Yes,” Hofmeister replied. “And I believe it is important that we treat people with dignity and with respect.”
Illegal border crossings from Mexico hit an all-time high in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2022, according to newly released numbers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Hofmeister’s opponent, incumbent Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, has spoken out against sanctuary cities. In Oct. 2021, Stitt visited the U.S.-Mexico border with 10 other governors. During his visit, Stitt spoke out against the meth and fentanyl coming into his state across the Mexican border. Stitt also supports Title 42, a Trump-era rule that allowed authorities to turn migrants away at the border due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
Stitt currently holds a slim lead over Hofmeister. As of October 18, Stitt leads the governor race by 1 point, according to the Five Thirty Eight polling average.
The Hofmeister campaign did not respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.