Robert Franklin Wins Oklahoma State Superintendent GOP Runoff
- mike33692
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Robert Franklin Wins Oklahoma State Superintendent Republican Runoff
Oklahoma Republicans have chosen Robert Franklin as their nominee for state superintendent, giving the longtime educator the GOP nomination for the state’s top public education office.
Franklin defeated James Taylor 55% to 45% in Tuesday’s Republican runoff. He now advances to the Nov. 3 General Election, where he will face Democratic nominee Jennettie Marshall.
Robert Franklin Wins Oklahoma State Superintendent GOP Nomination
Franklin, 66, of Sand Springs, brings decades of experience in Oklahoma public education to the race.
He has worked as a special education teacher and served in leadership roles in both public schools and Oklahoma’s CareerTech system. Franklin has also been inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame.
The state superintendent leads the Oklahoma State Department of Education and serves as chair of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, making the position one of the most influential education posts in the state.
Franklin has made addressing the Oklahoma teacher shortage a major part of his campaign. He has pledged to work with local school districts, higher education institutions, tribal nations and state leaders to develop solutions for recruiting and retaining teachers.
His platform also calls for putting more school counselors and behavioral health specialists in Oklahoma schools as a way to address student discipline and behavioral issues.
Franklin said Tuesday night that he believes the election results show Republican voters are looking for a different approach to leadership at the state Education Department.
He pointed to current State Superintendent Lindel Fields and said voters appear interested in moving away from the political conflicts that surrounded former Superintendent Ryan Walters.
Franklin said his goal would be to “take the toxicity out of things, take the divisiveness out of things and get to the work at hand.”
James Taylor Falls Short in Republican Runoff
Taylor, 67, of Oklahoma City, is a U.S. history and government teacher at Little Axe High School and the founding pastor of First Christ’s Church of Norman.
During his campaign, Taylor emphasized academic performance in Oklahoma public schools and greater parent involvement in education.
Taylor and Franklin emerged from a crowded Republican field during Oklahoma's June 16 primary election, earning the two highest vote totals and advancing to Tuesday’s runoff.
Franklin entered the race shortly before the candidate filing deadline but quickly gained support from educators around the state.
Teachers and other education supporters endorsed Franklin, contributed to his campaign and participated in campaign events leading up to the runoff.
Taylor said in a social media post following Tuesday's results that he and his wife were leaving the campaign with “zero regrets.”
Official election results are available through the Oklahoma State Election Board.
Franklin Advances to November General Election
Franklin will now face Jennettie Marshall in the Nov. 3 General Election for Oklahoma state superintendent.
Marshall secured the Democratic nomination during the June primary and will now compete with Franklin to lead the state Education Department.
The November winner will take over an agency responsible for overseeing Oklahoma public schools, implementing state education policy and working with the Oklahoma State Board of Education.
The race comes during a period of significant debate over teacher recruitment and retention, student achievement, school funding and classroom discipline in Oklahoma.
Franklin enters November with a political advantage that Republican candidates for the office have enjoyed for more than a decade.
Oklahoma voters have elected the Republican candidate for state superintendent in every General Election since 2010. Republicans also currently hold every statewide elected office in Oklahoma.
Franklin said his campaign will continue to emphasize his experience as an educator and administrator and his desire to bring a more collaborative approach to the state’s education system.
The Oklahoma state superintendent election will be decided by voters on Nov. 3, 2026.
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