Oklahoma

Opinion | Even Republicans are getting fed up with OK's crusading school superintendent

Published

2 years ago

August 15, 2024

Opinion | Even Republicans are getting fed up with OK's crusading school superintendent

If ever there was a time to cue up “Ya Got Trouble” from “The Music Man,” it’s now. You might remember the slick con artist who duped a whole town into buying band instruments while scheming to run off with their money. But Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters isn’t a swindler peddling trombones — he’s a self-serving politician on a Christian nationalist crusade to dismantle public education. If the Republican supermajority in the Oklahoma Legislature doesn’t rein him in, he’ll destroy the entire public education system.

Walters has consistently put his own political ambitions and divisive cultural wars ahead of the needs of students and teachers.

Walters has consistently put his own political ambitions and divisive cultural wars ahead of the needs of students and teachers. His tenure has been defined by unconstitutional initiatives, reckless mismanagement of taxpayer dollars and a relentless focus on self-promotion.

One of Walters’ more alarming moves, his push to mandate Bible instruction in every 5th through 12th grade public school classroom, went into effect with the start of school this week. That move isn’t about education but about using public schools to advance his ideological agenda. Thankfully, most large school districts have refused to implement Walters’ mandated Bible instruction citing doubts about its constitutionality. Indeed, Walters has shown little regard for the Constitution, ignoring the separation of church and state in his quest to reshape Oklahoma’s education system in his own image.

His handling of taxpayer dollars has been equally troubling. Take, for example, the funds allocated for emergency asthma inhalers in schools. Walters has let those funds sit unused for over a year. In a letter to the state’s attorney general, he said he wants clarity on how to distribute the money, but he also questioned whether the money allocated to the foundation to provide the inhalers — named for a 16-year-old who died of an asthma attack — would mean the state is showing preferential treatment to a single vendor. In short, he’s choosing to play politics instead of protecting Oklahoma’s students. That’s not just irresponsible; it’s potentially life-threatening.

Democrats aren’t the only ones who are fed up. Recently, 26 Republican state representatives, almost a third of those in the state House, signed a letter demanding an investigation into Walters’ conduct. Written by Rep. Mark McBride, the letter highlights bipartisan concern over the chaos he’s caused. It also expresses unease “about the budget performance, spending priorities, and transparency” of Walters’ office and describes his treatment of state lawmakers from both parties as “unprofessional, beneath the dignity of a statewide elected official, and … contrary to the best interests of the taxpayers and students of Oklahoma.”

The Republicans’ letter says Walters has failed to “comply with legislative budgetary directives,” failed to “turn over complete information surrounding the expenditure of state funds for travel,” failed to meet the requirements of the Open Records Act — “which resulted in the Attorney General threatening civil and criminal action” — and defied the “Legislature’s appropriations authority by refusing to execute required funding for critical asthma inhalers.”

They say those complaints are “a non-exhaustive list of recent actions” from Walters.

That significant percentage of Republicans demanding an investigation might not be enough. House Speaker Charles McCall has said he’ll only consider such a request if 51 of the 81 Republicans in the chamber sign onto the letter.

Walters has dismissed his Republican critics as “moderate Republicans.” In a post on X, he wrote, “Ending porn in schools. Driving woke indoctrination out of the classroom. Demanding accountability. The left and union lackeys call for an investigation and impeachment. I will never stop standing for parents!”

In a news release in which he accuses Walters of “gaslighting,” Oklahoma Republican state Rep. Nick Archer says “multiple elected officials have made reasonable requests regarding [Walter’s] use of taxpayer funds and asked that he address critical education issues. Instead, he deflects accountability by referring to Republican legislators as ‘moderate’ individuals who are promoting ‘porn in schools.’”

After pointing out that the Oklahoma Legislature is “widely considered one of the most conservative in the country,” Archer writes, “Let me be clear: neither porn nor Ryan Walters belong in Oklahoma schools.”

Following his push for Bible instruction in public schools, Walters championed the establishment of St. Isadora, which would have become the nation’s first publicly funded religious school if the Oklahoma Supreme Court hadn’t ruled against it. A year ago, when I first called for Walters’ impeachment, some dismissed it as partisan politics. But now, as the letter from Republican lawmakers illustrates, even members of his own party are beginning to see the damage he’s done and are calling for the same. Walters has consistently put his political ambitions above the needs of Oklahoma’s students, and the consequences have been disastrous.

Walters championed St. Isadora, which would have become the nation’s first publicly funded religious school if the Oklahoma Supreme Court hadn’t ruled against it.

Much attention has been given to Project 2025 agenda, a far-right blueprint designed to reshape American government. But, under Walters’ supervision, Oklahoma is already serving as a testing ground for policies that aim to weaken public institutions and impose ideological agendas. What’s happening here could happen nationwide if we don’t take action.

Among the many lawsuits naming Walters as a defendant, one stands out because, in that case, a judge granted a student a protection order preventing Walters from disclosing their identity. The student’s lawyers say Walters and his administration had previously done just that at a public meeting. The student is challenging the state’s discriminatory policy against altering gender designations in school records, and Walters publicly identifying them highlights how his aggressive stance on “radical gender theory” not only contradicts legal protections but also jeopardizes the safety of students. In addition to all the above, under Walters’ leadership, Oklahoma’s student performance metrics have declined, and one study ranked our state’s education system the second-worst in the country.

Meanwhile, monthly State Board of Education meetings have turned into battlegrounds, with parents, teachers and concerned citizens showing up in protest.

Walters has prioritized his ambitions over the well-being of the people he’s supposed to serve, weaponized religion, mismanaged public funds, and disrespected teachers and administrators across the state. The governor had to issue an executive order to force Walters to stop using taxpayer dollars to pay a PR firm tasked with making Walters look good.

Oklahoma is a test case for a far-right agenda that could rapidly spread to other states, turning public education systems across the country into battlegrounds for ideological wars. His mandate that students read the Bible shouldn’t be viewed in a vacuum. It’s a part of a much more comprehensive plan to erode the separation of church and state all over.

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Oklahoma

What could happen if Oklahoma State Superintendent becomes an appointed position

Published

11 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

What could happen if Oklahoma State Superintendent becomes an appointed position

Governor Kevin Stitt has said he wants the State Superintendent of Education to be a governor-elected position instead of an elected one. Political analyst Scott Mitchell examines what this would mean for the state.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging lawmakers to send a state question to voters that would make the state superintendent an appointed position, as he named Lindel Fields of Tulsa to the role and announced a turnaround team to help implement his education agenda.

October 2, 2025 12:54 PM

1 min read

Is the State Superintendent an elected role?

Yes, the State Superintendent of Education is still an elected role. Elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

Cons of making the superintendent an appointed position

Mitchell said making this position appointed could cause distrust among some Oklahomans

“Over the years, we’ve seen that capture of regulatory sort of is easy to do when you have term limits, then lobbies become more powerful, and they have all the history. It’s very complicated.

He also said if the position were to be elected, they would likely have the same agenda as the governor.

“Yes, and I think the governor would be absolutely saying, ‘Yes, they’re going to do what I want them to do.’”

Changing how the superintendent is chosen changes what the founding fathers set.

“Voters are going to have to say yay or nay if it gets to them, is whether or not we want to change the way that the founding fathers set up the way that we make sure that power is not concentrated in Oklahoma,” he said.

Is Ryan Walters’ term the reason Stitt wants to make this position appointed?

Mitchell said he believes the former State Superintendent played a role in the government wanting to appoint this position.

During his time as superintendent, Walters was known to have multiple controversies. He resigned in 2025, allowing Stitt to appoint Lindel Fields.

“His impact on this, even though he’s gone, is certainly evident,” said Mitchell. “Walters left midstream, right? And so the governor had a chance to appoint someone. Well, it wasn’t just an appointment; it was chaos before and relative calm and competency after. And that has given the governor an opening for people to see with their own eyes. Yeah, you can put somebody in, we’re talking about Lindel Fields, that appears to get up every day, not trying to find some, get a click on social media, but rather to do his job. And across the board, for the most part, this guy’s getting thumbs up.

Stitt said electing Fields has already given him some leverage since he has been well perceived so far.

“That allows a governor to say, Look, I’ve got some standing, some leverage to go to the voters and say, let’s put expertise as the main reason that a person’s there, not because they were able to win an election because they had some sort of populist or dramatic ideas.”

Who is running for Oklahoma State Superintendent?

Republican Ballot

Sen. Adam Pugh
John Cox
Rep. Toni Hasenbeck
Ana Landsaw

Democrat Ballot

Craig Mcvay
Jennettie Marshall

Independent

To learn more about each candidate, click here.

A full breakdown of candidates in the 2026 Oklahoma State Superintendent race, including party affiliation, background and key education priorities.

February 26, 2026 06:37 PM

2 min read

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers propose “Toby Keith Expressway” to honor late country star

Published

23 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma lawmakers propose “Toby Keith Expressway” to honor late country star

OKLAHOMA CITY –

An Oklahoma highway could soon be named after the late country superstar, Toby Keith, pending new legislation.

House Concurrent Resolution 1019 would rename a proposed turnpike project the “Toby Keith Expressway.” This roadway is set to be built from Interstate 44 East to Interstate-35, continuing East and North to Interstate 40. This road is a part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan, which is meant to update and expand the state’s turnpike system.

This resolution was adopted by the House on Wednesday.

“Toby Keith was more than a country music star. He was a proud Oklahoman who never forgot where he came from,” said Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore. “Naming this turnpike in his honor is a fitting way to recognize a man who represented our state with ultimate patriotism and generosity.”

Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, raised in Moore and resided in Norman. He died on February 5, 2024, in a battle with cancer.

“Over the course of his legendary career, Toby Keith never forgot where he came from or what he stood for,” said Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. “His Oklahoma roots shaped him, and his love of America defined him. He was a country music superstar and a true patriot. I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by naming this future stretch of Norman turnpike in his honor, creating a lasting tribute to the legacy he leaves behind.”

February 13, 2024 12:16 PM

During his career, Keith sold over 40 million records and more than 20 number-one singles

Legislation authors believe this would commemorate the life and legacy of Toby Keith.

The bill will now head to the Senate.

To read the full House Resolution, click here.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma congressional delegation offer praise to Trump speech

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma congressional delegation offer praise to Trump speech

WASHINGTON, D.C. –

President Donald Trump delivered a 108-minute State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. The speech celebrated what Trump called a “turnaround for the ages,” highlighting what he says have been broad economic gains over the past year, as well as historic achievements in border security, immigration enforcement and foreign policy. Democrats, in their rebuttal, painted a very different picture, insisting economic conditions have worsened under Trump and that his administration shows little respect for the rule of law while striving to enrich themselves.

The members of the Oklahoma delegation, all Republicans, offered praise for the president and his message:

Sen. James Lankford (interview with Griffin Media):

“Yeah, the President spoke for just less than two hours, but he walked through some key issues that I’ve had a lot of Oklahomans ask about. Where are we on illegal immigration? How are we handling enforcement? Where’s the economy? He spent a tremendous amount of time at the beginning talking about, ‘Here are the change in prices we’ve seen in eggs, in vehicles, in mortgages and inflation rate, and the significant change that that has come down.’ He spent a lot of time talking about international issues at the end, and a lot of time talking about crime and things that Americans really talk about, and I’ve had a lot of Oklahomans ask about at the beginning. So, he spent the first half talking through, I think, the Americans—the kitchen table issues there: crime, economy, where are we going as a country? Starting more jobs, having more opportunities, the tax cut changes that are really affecting a lot of Oklahomans. And then towards the end, spend a lot of time talking about international issues, including Iran. I think he needed to spend a little more time talking about the issues with Iran, since we have such a military build-up there to explain to the American people. This is why this is such a big issue, and he spent the time doing that.”

Rep. Stephanie Bice (interview with Griffin Media):

“Well, I thought it was really an opportunity for the president to talk about what he’s done over the last year and also highlight the wins. You know, we’ve seen so many people impacted by things like border security, the Big Beautiful Bill, you know, economic reform, and so he was really highlighting that tonight…There were some really amazing stories, and it was a feel-good evening. I feel like he really—I think he connected with the American people tonight.”

Rep. Tom Cole (statement)
“Throughout the first year of President Trump’s term as the 47^th President of the United States, the President has delivered on the mandate of the American people and truly ushered in the golden age. Tonight, President Trump delivered a powerful speech that illustrated just that.

“At the border, we have seen a complete one-eighty, as illegal “getaways” are down by 95 percent and migrant crossings are down by 99.99 percent. Rampant crime and disorder are turning into safer communities. We have made national security a priority again, making generational investments in America’s defense through the One Big Beautiful Bill and utilizing decisive leadership to make bold but necessary decisions like air striking Iran last year and capturing Venezuelan President Maduro earlier this year.

“I would be remiss not to mention the significant economic strides. The One Big Beautiful Bill provided the largest tax cuts in history and will bring long-lasting financial relief to families, workers, and small businesses. Years of inflation and stagnation are being replaced with renewed growth and a resurgent economy. Measurable progress has been made on cost-of-living pressures, drug costs have been lowered on the consumer, and red tape has been cut for small businesses.

“In just one year, President Trump has turned this country around. Under the previous Administration, our country had turned a blind eye to illegal immigration, we had lost respect on the world stage, and inflation was skyrocketing. Now, the American Dream is back. The United States is strong, prosperous, and respected – and, as President Trump said, the state of our union is strong.”

Rep. Kevin Hern (statement)
“Tonight, President Trump reaffirmed that when we put America first, America wins. At an unprecedented pace, he’s reversed the damage caused by four years of reckless Biden-era policies that sent our nation down the wrong path. Families are now seeing historic tax relief, lower inflation, a secure border, and peace around the world – this is only the beginning. I’m proud to stand alongside President Trump as we continue our work to lower costs, put more money in Americans’ pockets, and strengthen the American Dream for families across the country.”

Rep. Josh Brecheen (statement)
“It was an honor to attend President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight. Congress, alongside President Trump, has fought hard to restore conservative values within our great nation. While there’s still lots of work to be done, I am encouraged by the direction our nation is headed and look forward to the year ahead! The American Dream is possible once again!!!”

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