After Ryan Walters resigns, it will be up to Gov. Kevin Stitt to appoint a new state schools superintendent.
Walters said Wednesday, Sept. 24 in a late night appearance on Fox News that he would leave his elected post as Oklahoma’s top schools official, more than a year before his term is set to end. He said he plans to become CEO of Teacher Freedom Alliance, a newly formed right-wing group that rallies against teachers’ unions.
The announcement answered months of speculation about the future of Walters’ political career, as he drew national attention to Oklahoma for his attempts to require schools to teach from the Bible and to show students a video of him praying for President Donald Trump.
How Stitt will choose Walters’ replacement
Walters did not say when he plans to exit office. To resign, Walters would need to submit notice to Stitt. The governor would then appoint a new superintendent to fill out the rest of Walters’ term, which will end in January 2027.
Stitt hasn’t said who he will choose to replace Walters, but some names of potential picks were already floating Wednesday around the Oklahoma state Capitol. It’s also possible the governor would choose from a list of candidates who have filed to run for superintendent in 2026.
Gov. Kevin Stitt and state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters talk after a 2023 bill signing ceremony.
It’s almost a certainty that Stitt will choose a fellow Republican, and it’s possible he could choose someone who would be a stark contrast to Walters. The governor has been in a public feud with Walters for months, so he may be looking to shake some of the far-right culture war platforms that Walters embraced.
No matter who Stitt picks, they will face a tall task, as Oklahoma’s education system consistently ranks among the worst nationwide.
Who could potentially replace Walters as state superintendent?
State Sen. Adam Pugh
Sen. Adam Pugh
The Edmond Republican chairs the Senate education committee. He backed a resolution that would have rejected controversial social studies standards supported by Walters. The standards require students to learn about certain Christian teachings and debunked theories of 2020 election fraud. The resolution ultimately did not pass. The standards are now being challenged in the state Supreme Court.
Pugh did not respond to The Oklahoman’s request for comment Wednesday.
Sen. Shane Jett
Sen. Shane Jett
The Shawnee Republican is an ally of Stitt and leads the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, a group of lawmakers who are considered to belong to the Legislature’s farthest-right faction. Jett did not respond to The Oklahoman’s request for comment Wednesday.
Oklahoma Education Secretary Nellie Tayloe Sanders
State Education Secretary Nellie Tayloe Sanders
Sanders serves as Stitt’s top education adviser, the same role Walters held during Stitt’s first term in office. She launched a statewide campaign in August designed to spotlight innovative teachers and programs in Oklahoma schools.
When contacted Wednesday about the potential that Walters would resign, she said: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Former state Rep. Mark McBride
Former Rep. Mark McBride
McBride, a Republican from Moore, has been one of Walters’ sharpest critics. Even after leaving office in 2024, he has continued to write op-eds excoriating Walters’ policies and calling for the state to offer teachers and schools more support.
McBride told The Oklahoman on Wednesday that he’d be honored to serve as superintendent, but said he was on a plane and doesn’t know if there was any truth at the time to the rumor that Walters would resign.
Other potential picks
Stitt could choose from a pool of GOP candidates who have filed to run for a full term as state superintendent in 2026. They include former Tulsa Public Schools board member Jerry Griffin, retired Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller, Peggs Public School Superintendent John Cox and Ana Landsaw, of Tahlequah, who works in teacher training at Northeastern State University.
If the governor opts to choose someone who has no political experience, he could look to Oklahoma’s schools to replace Walters.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Who will replace Ryan Walters? Here are some possible picks for superintendent