The 2026 Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. Primary elections was held on June 16. Incumbent appointee Superintendent of Public Instruction Lindel Fields declined to run in this election.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Robert Franklin, retired school administrator and member of the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame
Eliminated in runoff James Taylor, teacher and candidate for Oklahoma's 4th congressional district in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022
Eliminated in the primary William Crozier, perennial candidate and nominee for state superintendent in 2006 John Cox, superintendent of Peggs Public Schools (1999–present), Democratic nominee for state superintendent in 2014 and 2018, and Republican candidate in 2022 Toni Hasenbeck, state representative from the 65th district (2018–present) Debra Herlihy, professor Adam Pugh, state senator from the 41st district (2016–present)
Withdrawn Jerry Griffin, former member of the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education (2020–2024) Ana Davine Landsaw, Northeastern State University employee Rob Miller, Superintendent of Bixby Public Schools (2018–present) Riley Williams, author and podcaster
Declined Lindel Fields, incumbent state superintendent Ryan Walters, former state superintendent (2023–2025)
First round Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JohnCox WilliamCrozier RobertFranklin ToniHasenbeck DebraHerlihy AdamPugh JamesTaylor UndecidedCole Hargrave Snodgrass & AssociatesMay 4–5, 2026500 (RV)± 4.3%9%1%6%4%6%8%5%61%CintMay 21–25, 2026457 (RV)–12%6%6%7%6%8%6%49%
Debate + 2026 Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction election Republican primary debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn John Cox William Crozier Robert Franklin Toni Hasenbeck Debra Herlihy Adam Pugh James Taylor1 Jun. 2, 2026 KOTV-DTKWTV-DTNonDoc Haley HetrickTres Savage YouTube
Results
Runoff Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error RobertFranklin JamesTaylor UndecidedCole Hargrave Snodgrass & AssociatesAugust 3–6, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%27%26%47%
Debate + 2026 Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction election Republican primary runoff debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Robert Franklin James Taylor1 Aug. 13, 2026 NonDocKSWO-TV Jennah JamesTres Savage YouTube
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jennettie Marshall, former Tulsa Public Schools board member
Eliminated in primary Craig McVay, former El Reno Public Schools superintendent
Declined Jena Nelson, teacher and nominee for state superintendent in 2022 (running for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district)
Results
Notes
References