OKLAHOMA CITY — The political contest between state Sen. Adam Pugh and state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck isn’t over yet. Expect it to last at least through June – and maybe longer.
On Thursday, the Oklahoma State Election Board ruled that Pugh, R-Edmond, was eligible to run for state superintendent of public instruction, despite Hasenbeck’s effort to remove him from the ballot. Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, said she would appeal the ruling to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Hasenbeck, who also is running for the seat, filed a petition to have Pugh removed from the ballot because he’s in the middle of his term as a state senator when he voted to raise the state superintendent’s salary.
In November 2025, the Legislative Compensation Board voted to increase salaries for elected officials, including the state superintendent. The board said the pay increase for the post could help attract top candidates which, in turn, would improve the state’s education system.
While the state superintendent’s salary — $124,373 — has been in place for several years, this November the salary will increase to $175,000.
Thursday afternoon Hasenbeck said she was disappointed in the ruling.
“I appreciate the State Election Board members’ service to our state. However, I obviously disagree with today’s decision,” she said. “Our challenge to Senator Pugh’s candidacy is rooted in Oklahoma constitutional law. This is not the type of election-law challenge with which the Election Board typically deals.”
Because of what she called ‘constitutional questions,’ Hasenbeck said she would “be immediately filing an emergency request with the Oklahoma Supreme Court to assume original jurisdiction in this case.”
“I am confident that when our constitutional arguments are given full consideration by the guardians of both our state Constitution and the integrity of our election processes – the Supreme Court – we will succeed,” she said.
Hasenbeck also criticized the location of the hearing at the state Capitol – in the Senate’s large conference room on the fifth floor.
“Finally, it should not be lost that this hearing and ruling occurred in the very Senate committee room which Adam Pugh chairs,” she said. “The constitutional provision is meant to prevent any pretense of corruption or insider dealings among candidates running for statewide office. It’s unfortunate that the board chose not to rule in this way.”
Pugh countered that he was pleased by the board’s ruling.
“I just first want to thank the board really for acting swiftly and fairly and justly,” he said. “I’m relieved, obviously, and it’s time to be back on the campaign trail, which I will be tonight.”
Pugh said he would be traveling to every corner of the state “just working with teachers, hearing their concerns, listening to parents and asking for their support, talking about my vision of why I want to lead the Department of Education.”
When asked about possibility of an appeal to the state’s high court, Pugh said his focus would remain on the campaign.
“I have no idea what happens next,” he said. “My focus has and always will remain on meeting voters, taking care of students, getting great teachers in the classroom, and making sure parents are represented in that process. That’s what I’ve been doing since I jumped in this race in the fall. It’s what I’m going to do tonight.”
Oklahoma’s primary election is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16. Early voting is set for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 11 and 12 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 13.
A primary runoff election – if needed – is set for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 25. Early voting is set for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug 20 and 21 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 22.
__
M. Scott Carter is an award-winning political and investigative reporter with more than 40 years’ experience covering federal and state government and politics in Oklahoma. He can be reached at scott.carter@swoknews.com.