Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
11.3%
42%
10%
6%
G. Drummond
Republican
Ryan Walters
Oklahoma Republican Governor nominee?
$242.4K
JUN 17, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleEducator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyTrump-aligned Republican
Age41 years old (May 23, 1985)
GenderMale
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LocationOklahoma
BackgroundEducator
EducationHarding University (BA)
Notable personal detailsRyan Matthew Walters is an American educator and Republican politician who served as Oklahoma Secretary of Education (2020–2023) and as the elected Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction (2023–2025). Before holding statewide office, he worked as a high school history teacher and later led education advocacy organizations in Oklahoma. He earned a B.A. from Harding University and is married to Katie; they have four children.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgoklahoma.govryanwaltersforoklahoma.comapnews.comoklahomawatch.orgkosu.orgwikidata.orglegistorm.comreadfrontier.orgoklahomavoice.comkgou.orgtheatlantic.comed.govhppr.orgvisaverge.comballotready.orgkoco.comnews9.compolitico.comtheguardian.comkswo.comryanwaltersok.comnewson6.comnondoc.comjustfacts.votesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgvotesmart.orgnga.orgfec.govedworkforce.house.govdemocrats-edworkforce.house.govcongress.govdocs.house.govhistory.house.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates eliminating Oklahoma’s income tax and eventually eliminating property taxes, and calls for deep government spending cuts and reduced bureaucracy to fund tax reductions. He has also promoted tax credits for tuition/education-related programs.
Healthcare
Ryan Walters opposes Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma and has publicly said he does not support expanding Medicaid. He framed Medicaid expansion as a tool used by political opponents and rejected it as policy he supports.
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Immigration & Border
Supports aggressive immigration enforcement and shutting down the southern border, backs Trump-era/Republican enforcement policies, and has proposed and supported measures to check immigration status in schools and to share information with enforcement authorities. Advocates actions to prevent what he describes as a surge of illegal immigration and fentanyl into Oklahoma and has pushed policy changes to enable greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. His actions include rule proposals to require proof of citizenship/legal status at school enrollment and public statements favor
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate describes himself as "100% unapologetically pro-life," opposes public funding for organizations such as Planned Parenthood, and frames abortion as the taking of innocent human life.
Climate & Energy
Opposes expansion of large renewable "green energy" projects in Oklahoma and emphasizes the economic importance of oil and gas for the state, while criticizing preferential treatment for renewable developers. Calls for protecting property rights and local business interests over agreements favoring foreign renewable companies.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports arming and training school staff and expanding armed presence in schools (voluntary concealed-carry training for employees) as a school-safety measure and argues shootings are not primarily a "gun issue." He has pushed state education budget items to fund firearm training and signage for schools indicating trained staff carry firearms. No clear evidence found of support for assault-weapon bans or expanded background-check/red-flag policies in the sources located.
Polls
Oklahoma Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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