Ryan Walters wins GOP nomination for Oklahoma state schools superintendent over April Grace

Ryan Walters, Gov. Kevin Stitt's education secretary, won the Republican runoff primary for state schools superintendent on Tuesday with 53% of the vote for Oklahoma's top education office.

With 99% of precincts counted, Shawnee Public Schools Superintendent April Grace carried 47% of votes.

"What we've seen tonight is a mandate from Oklahoma voters: Gov. Stitt's education vision and school choice is going to happen in the state of Oklahoma," Walters said at an election watch party Tuesday night.

Walters led Grace in the June 28 primary election 41% to 31%.

In a state with almost twice the number of registered Republicans as Democrats, the GOP nominee will be the favorite in the Nov. 8 general election against Democratic candidate and former Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jena Nelson.

Ryan Walters blasts 'left-wing indoctrination' in Oklahoma classrooms

Walters, 37, brought social issues to the forefront of the race. Eliminating perceived “woke ideology” was a platform cornerstone for Walters, a high school history teacher, governor's Cabinet member and executive director of the pro-school choice organization Every Kid Counts Oklahoma.

“Funding is not our biggest issue in education,” Walters said. “Our biggest issue is getting left-wing indoctrination out of the classroom, empowering parents to have more school choice, and ensuring that the best and the brightest teachers are rewarded and empowered to be successful.”

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Many educators backed Grace, calling her the most qualified candidate to succeed state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, who is term limited this year.

Grace, 56, said as superintendent she would focus on student academic recovery from the pandemic, shift emphasis from end-of-year state tests to gradual growth throughout the school year, and aim to restore Oklahoma’s teacher workforce.

“That’s what I see in classrooms is teachers doing the best they can to move students forward academically,” Grace said. “There’s no one out there that wants to indoctrinate kids, and that’s certainly not the main objective of educators.”

Grace has worked in Oklahoma schools for the past 30 years as a teacher, coach and school administrator. She was named superintendent of Shawnee schools in 2016 and Oklahoma Administrator of the Year in 2021.

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Along with the governor, Walters advocated for a failed bill that would have dedicated $128.5 million to pay for students' private-school costs. Grace opposed the legislation, saying it had too few safeguards to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds.

Walters was a leading voice against allowing transgender students to play sports and use the school restroom that matches their gender identity — both of which are now banned in Oklahoma public schools. He supported downgrading accreditation for school districts that violate House Bill 1775, a state law limiting school discussions of certain race and gender topics.

Lately, Walters proposed eliminating federal funding from Oklahoma public schools.

Federal allocations and grants provided about $921 million to Oklahoma schools in the 2022 fiscal year, not including COVID-19 relief funds, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

These dollars go toward school meals, support for impoverished students and special education, among numerous other programs. They also require schools to abide by civil rights laws and to conduct annual academic tests.

Walters said he wouldn't seek to replace federal funds with state dollars. Rather, he said Oklahoma should be more efficient with its current state funding levels and spend less on school administration.

“The feds have no place in our education system,” Walters said. “I want us to move away from federal funding and wean us off of federal dollars and empower Oklahomans to have more say in what our education system looks like.”

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Federal dollars support numerous school needs, including special education, cafeteria meals and pre-K programs.

“It continues to highlight (Walters') lack of experience and lack of understanding related to anything in Oklahoma public schools,” Grace said. “He has literally no idea of what he’s talking about.”

The state superintendent acts as the head of the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the chair of the Oklahoma State Board of Education.

Hofmeister won the post in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018. She is the Democratic nominee for governor, having switched parties from the GOP last year.

More coverage: Hofmeister helps spike school dropout-prevention program backed by Gov. Stitt

Two members of the state Board of Education, Brian Bobek and Jennifer Monies, donated to Walters’ campaign ahead of the June 28 primary election. The governor appointed every state board member but Hofmeister.

Many of Walters’ campaign contributions came from Oklahoma’s business community, campaign finance records show. Former state Superintendent Janet Barresi and Trump Administration Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos also donated to Walters.

Both Grace and Walters dealt with controversy during their campaigns.

Grace faced criticism over a former Shawnee boys basketball coach and assistant athletic director charged with a felony for sexting with a teenager. Ronald Gene Arthur resigned from Shawnee on Sept. 3 after coming under investigation.

A federal audit found a program under Walters’ watch was rife with misuse of pandemic relief funds. The U.S. Department of Education reported recipients of Bridge the Gap Digital Wallet improperly spent $650,000 meant for children’s educational needs. Walters helped oversee the program even before he was appointed education secretary in September 2020, auditors reported.

Walters has said the fault lies with ClassWallet, the company Oklahoma contracted to disburse the funds. ClassWallet has denied the allegation.

Contributing: Addison Kliewer

Reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel covers K-12 and higher education throughout the state of Oklahoma. Have a story idea for Nuria? She can be reached at nmartinez-keel@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @NuriaMKeel. Support Nuria’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters wins GOP nomination for Oklahoma schools superintendent