Robert Franklin, a Sand Springs Republican, is running for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Jennettie Marshall, a Democrat.

Franklin, 66, won the Republican runoff on Aug. 25, defeating James Taylor 55% to 45%, according to Oklahoma Voice.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 66
  • Residence: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
  • 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)
  • Notable recognition: Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame inductee

Experience and public service

Franklin says he has 44 years in education, according to his campaign website. 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. He has also served as a board member on the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, according to The Frontier. Franklin said he previously worked as an assistant principal at a junior high school in Oklahoma, according to NonDoc.

On the issues

Teacher workforce

Franklin has identified rebuilding the teacher workforce pipeline as 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. He has said he supports improving professional development and recruiting strong leaders into the classroom while also expecting results for students, according to his campaign website.

Student mental health

Franklin has said adding more mental health professionals at school districts would be a priority. He argued that students struggling with mental health and behavioral issues are undermining classroom instruction and that schools need additional support resources, according to NonDoc.

School choice and accountability

Franklin says he supports school choice and believes families should have options, according to his campaign website. He also says school choice should come with high standards, clear accountability and a commitment to making sure education dollars are used effectively.

Religious instruction and federal funding

Franklin has said religious instruction places an undue burden on teachers already tasked with teaching math and English, and he suggested that teaching religion should be left to families and religious leaders, according to Oklahoma Watch. He also argued that the prior administration under Ryan Walters did not pursue available federal education dollars and that Oklahoma should have applied for those grants, according to Oklahoma Watch.

Local control of instructional time

Franklin has opposed a legislative mandate to increase the minimum number of instructional days, calling it an overreach. He argued that local communities should make that decision and noted that students in virtual charter schools learn without any days in a seat, according to NonDoc.

Candidate positions are drawn from Robert Franklin's campaign website and statements at candidate debates as reported by NonDoc and Oklahoma Watch. The Oklahoma City Ledger did not interview the candidate for this profile.