A repeat Republican candidate for state superintendent, William Crozier, who once suggested using textbooks as shields in school shootings, will appear on the June 16 primary ballot for the office again. At 79 years old, Crozier is making his third run for the position, which oversees the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the state’s top school board.
Crozier, of Union City, first challenged longtime Superintendent Sandy Garrett in 2006, and made a second bid in 2022, failing to advance past the Republican primary.
In a recent interview covering topics from the Vietnam War to the Articles of Confederation, Crozier expressed a variety of ideas for education reform.
He suggested the state should “get rid of all the buses” and focus on neighborhood schools. Addressing concerns about school shootings, he proposed using textbooks as shields from bullets as one of several protective strategies against lone-wolf gunmen.
An Air Force and Army veteran, Crozier described a career spanning multiple roles, including work at the Tax Commission, Tinker Air Force Base, and as an accident investigator for the Department of Transportation, though he is currently unemployed.
He also noted that despite passing a special education test to teach, he was not hired “because I’m a Christian Republican.” Crozier added, “They wouldn’t hire me because I was too old, too smart for them and knew where they were stealing the money. So, that needs to be cleaned up really bad.”
On academic priorities, Crozier stated that Oklahoma schools should aim to compete with those in north Texas by teaching students to read and preparing them to pursue a wide range of careers or creative pursuits, including building airplanes, spaceships, or performing in theater.
Crozier is one of seven Republicans seeking the state superintendent post, alongside Peggs Public Schools Superintendent John Cox, former school district and CareerTech administrator Robert Franklin, state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, Southern Nazarene University senior research analyst Debra Herlihy, state Sen. Adam Pugh, and high school teacher James Taylor. Two Democrats, former Tulsa Board of Education member Jennettie Marshall and retired El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay, complete the nine-candidate field.
Former state Superintendent Ryan Walters, a Republican, resigned from office on September 30 to lead an anti-teacher-union organization. Lindel Fields, who was appointed to finish Walters’ term, did not file as a candidate running for the seat.
Summary Table of Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Candidate | William Crozier |
| Age | 79 |
| Location | Union City, Oklahoma |
| Previous Runs | 2006, 2022 (unsuccessful) |
| Proposed Policies | Neighborhood schools, use textbooks as shields in school shootings, compete with north Texas schools in reading and career prep |
| Career Background | Air Force and Army veteran, Tax Commission, Tinker Air Force Base, DOT accident investigator |
| Election Date | June 16, 2026 |
| Republican Opponents | John Cox, Robert Franklin, Toni Hasenbeck, Debra Herlihy, Adam Pugh, James Taylor |
| Democratic Opponents | Jennettie Marshall, Craig McVay |
| Context | Ryan Walters resigned Sept. 30, Lindel Fields appointed interim, not running |
William Crozier’s third run for Oklahoma state superintendent continues his long-standing focus on education reform and controversial proposals for school safety.
Despite his previous unsuccessful campaigns, he remains a candidate in a crowded nine-person field, with Republicans and Democrats vying to lead the Oklahoma State Department of Education following Ryan Walters’ resignation. Crozier’s proposals, experience, and outspoken views will likely draw attention as voters head to the polls on June 16.
