'Trump is the guy for the job': State Superintendent endorses Donald Trump in presidential race – KTUL
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by John Hayes, KTUL staff
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — State Superintendent Ryan Walters has once again stepped into the political arena, endorsing former President Donald Trump for President of The United States.
It’s a move that diverges from Governor Stitt's endorsement of challenger and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; who Walters told NewsChannel 8 he had been in regular contact with.
Walters said he firmly believes that aligning with Trump's educational reform plans is crucial for the progression of Oklahoma's education system and the nation as a whole.
“We gotta have four more years of President Trump so that we can get this country where it needs to be going,” said Walters.
His endorsement is grounded in a vision that closely mirrors Trump's plan to "save American education and give power back to parents.” It’s a philosophy Walters said he has also been advocating for within Oklahoma's educational landscape while serving in his current role.
The core components of Trump's educational blueprint, which resonates with Walters, revolve around certifying teachers endorsing "patriotic values," favoring schools abolishing teacher tenure in favor of merit pay, reducing the number of school administrators, introducing a Parents Bill of Rights, advocating for universal school choice, and permitting parents to elect their children's principals. The plan even recommends massive funding preferences and favorable treatment for states and school districts that follow some of its guidance.
The plan was announced back in January, and Trump’s campaign said it was an approach to “take back control from the Radical Left maniacs indoctrinating our children.”
"When you look at all of these things, these are exactly things I've been fighting for here in Oklahoma,” said Walters.
NewsChannel 8 pressed Walters on Governor Stitt's alignment with DeSantis and the contrasting endorsements.
I just look at it as President Trump is the guy for the job,” said Walters. "We've been able to work with incredible folks and I'm still going to work with incredible folks across the country, and I've been clear that I want Oklahoma to be the leader."
NewsChannel 8 also asked Governor Stitt for his thoughts on Walters's endorsement.
Trump's the incumbent and Trump's kind of the natural choice so I'm not surprised that most Republicans are endorsing him,” said Stitt. “But I'm also trying to make sure I just saw how DeSantis led through COVID and I think he's the right guy that can be there for eight years as well."
News Channel 8 submitted an open records request back in July seeking correspondence between Walters and DeSantis. As of November 1st, there has been no fulfillment of the inquiry.
Walters said he would continue in his support for Trump regardless of the former president's ongoing legal challenges.
You can read Walters's full endorsement below:
NewsChannel 8 also received the following statement from the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association when asked for comment on Walters endorsement: