Robert Franklin, the Republican nominee for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction, will face Democrat Jennettie Marshall on Nov. 3. Franklin, 66, won the GOP runoff on Aug. 25, defeating James Taylor 55% to 45%, according to Oklahoma Voice.

He is from Sand Springs.

Candidate information

  • Residence: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
  • Age: 66
  • Education: Doctorate in education, University of Oklahoma (2020); master's degree in education administration, Northeastern State University (1984); bachelor's degree in special education, Northeastern State University (1984)
  • Recognition: Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame inductee

Experience and public service

Franklin says on his campaign website he has 44 years in education. He has served as associate superintendent for student affairs at Tulsa Technology Center since 2010 and as a lecturer at the University of Oklahoma since 2024, according to BallotReady profile data. Franklin said he previously served as an assistant principal at a junior high school in Oklahoma, according to NonDoc's coverage of a GOP superintendent debate. He also served as a board member on the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, according to The Frontier.

On the issues

Teacher workforce: Franklin has said rebuilding the teacher workforce pipeline is the state education department's top priority. At a GOP primary debate, he said, "I don't care how high our standards are (or) how many things we want to clap and yell for, if we don't have teachers that we celebrate and support … we will not get where we need to be," according to NonDoc's debate coverage.

Franklin said on his campaign website that he supports improving professional development, recruiting strong leaders into classrooms and building a culture that values excellence.

Mental health in schools: Franklin said adding more mental health professionals in school districts would be a priority. He said teachers have told him too many students struggle with mental health and behavioral issues, which he said undermines classroom instruction. He called additional mental health support "absolutely sacrosanct to the process of building stronger schools," according to NonDoc's debate coverage.

School choice and accountability: Franklin said on his campaign website that he backs school choice but wants it paired with strong oversight and proof that education spending produces results for students.

Federal education funding: Franklin argued that the prior administration under Ryan Walters did not pursue federal education dollars, that the money went to other states, and that Oklahoma should have applied for the grants, according to OklahomaWatch's fact-check of the runoff debate.

Religious instruction and local control: Franklin said religious instruction placed an undue burden on teachers already tasked with teaching math and English. He suggested the teaching of religion should be left to family and religious leaders, according to OklahomaWatch. He also opposed a legislative mandate to increase the minimum number of instructional days, calling it overreach and arguing local communities should make that decision, according to NonDoc.

Candidate responses were drawn from Robert Franklin's campaign website, debate coverage by NonDoc and OklahomaWatch, and BallotReady profile data. The Norman Chronicle did not interview the candidate for this profile.