OKLAHOMA CITY – Ryan Walters, the former high school teacher who became to standard bearer for school choice and who said the ‘woke’ culture of Oklahoma’s public school system was its biggest problem, captured the Republican nomination for State Secretary of Education last week.
Waters secured the nomination after defeating Shawnee School Superintendent April Grace with about 53% of the vote in last Tuesday’s runoff primary election.
Walters captured 149,147 votes to Grace’s 130,168, according to unofficial election returns posted on the state election board’s website. Data shows that 279,315 Republicans cast ballots in the contest between the two.
“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 in a speech on election night.
Walters has been a harsh critic of the state’s common education system. He said he would continue efforts to “end liberal indoctrination and get critical race theory out of public schools.”
Grace told her supporters she appreciated their help and would continue to fight for public schools, despite her loss.
“I’m so grateful for your support and thank you so much for being here tonight. We’re going to keep fighting for kids. That’s what we’re going to keep doing,” she said.
Grace, who was named Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year in 2021, was criticized for her handling of a sexual misconduct investigation involving Shawnee High School Assistant Athletic Director Ron Arthur. Arthur, a former basketball coach, denied the allegations.
The race initially drew four candidates: Walters, Grace, William Crozier and John Cox. During the June primary election Crozier and Cox were defeated. Walters and Grace were forced into a runoff. In that race, Walters earned 142,630 votes, or 41.46% while Grace had 105,372 votes or 30.63%.
Walters drew heavy support from Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and supporters of the school choice movement. Grace was supported by broad group of state educators.
Walters will face Democrat Jean Nelson in the November election. Nelson is middle school teacher at Classen SAS Middle School in Oklahoma City. She was Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2020.