Robert Franklin wins Oklahoma superintendent race

Republican Robert Franklin, a longtime Oklahoma educator and school administrator, defeated Democrat Jennettie Marshall to become the state’s next superintendent of public instruction. Franklin campaigned on improving academic results, addressing the teacher shortage, supporting educators and students, and increasing parental involvement; he has also backed school choice and called for a less partisan approach to public education. He has pledged to simplify statewide testing and opposes faith-based instruction in public schools, arguing that publicly funded religious schools are unconstitutional. Marshall emphasized teacher retention and state agency priorities.