RECAP: Republican State Superintendent Candidates Discuss Education Priorities

Six Republican candidates for Oklahoma state superintendent participated in a debate hosted by News 9, News On 6, and NonDoc at Embassy Suites in Norman on June 3, discussing their visions for Oklahoma schools ahead of the state’s primary elections. The candidates—John Cox, Robert Franklin, Toni Hasenbeck, Debra A. Herlihy, Adam Pugh, and James Taylor—presented their qualifications, including decades of experience as teachers, principals, and superintendents. Herlihy emphasized her personal history with dyslexia and called for a broad transformation in Oklahoma education, while Franklin, a certified special education teacher and former superintendent, argued for placing a seasoned educator in the role. Cox, with 40 years in education, proposed focusing on student safety and expanding phonics instruction from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. Hasenbeck, a former teacher and state representative, stressed her hands-on experience working with educators across career stages. Taylor, a pastor and teacher, took a controversial stance, asserting that parental—not schools or government—responsibility should govern children’s education, citing religious principles. Pugh, with a military and entrepreneurial background, framed his role as leading the Department of Education rather than individual districts, deferring to local school boards. The debate preceded the annual Oklahoma Public School Resource Center conference, which aims to drive academic achievement in state schools. The event was sponsored by OPSRC, underscoring its focus on education reform. The Republican primary elections in Oklahoma will determine the next state superintendent, with the debate serving as a key platform for candidates to outline their priorities.