OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – During this year’s Public School Day at the capitol Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller announced his plans to run for State Superintendent. The election will take place in 2026, along with other midterm elections such as the Oklahoma gubernatorial race.
Miller, who has over 27 years of experience as an educator, has publicly gone head-to-head with Walters.
Currently, the two are entangled in a defamation lawsuit in which Miller claims Walters made inflammatory remarks against him. First filed in August of 2024, the suit came after days of back and forth between the pair over a dispute in Title I funding.
At the time, Miller claimed that the district had not yet received state funding for the 2025 fiscal year. In response, Walters publicly called Miller a “liar and a clown.”
Bixby Superintendent’s education experience
Miller does not come with a lack of accolades in the realm of education. He was previously named district Teacher of the Year, Oklahoma Assistant Superintendent of the year and was a national finalist for Principal of the Year.
Before he began his career in public education, Miller served in the Marine Corps. After his service concluded, he entered the Bixby Public School system as an educator.
According to Miller’s campaign website, he wants to recenter the focus on kids, not politics. The website also mentions improving teacher pay and retention, protecting local control of schools, supporting families and standing up to extremes. He has yet to explain how he wants to tackle these issues or which party he aligns with.
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“I’m not a politician—I’m a Marine and an educator. I’ve spent my life fixing problems, not making excuses. Oklahoma’s kids deserve better, and I’m running for State Superintendent to make sure they get it. I won’t let partisan politics ruin our schools—I’ll fight for results, for families, and most importantly, for our kids,” Miller said on his website.
As it currently stands, Miller is the only person to have officially placed his bid for State Superintendent. The primary election is scheduled for June 16, 2026.
2026 midterm expectations
Although the Bixby Superintendent is currently the lone soldier for the State Superintendent race, several Republican voices have announced their gubernatorial campaigns. Many expect Walters to stake his claim, but he has yet to formally unveil any plans besides securing a website domain.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced his plans to run in January. Since announcing, Drummond has grown comfortable disputing Gov. Kevin Stitt’s actions. Specifically, Stitt’s move to partner with Demark on clean energy and his endorsement of Florida Governor Ron Desantis for president.
Former Speaker of the House Charles McCall is the latest Republican to set his eyes on the Governor seat. In a press release, McCall stated “I truly believe God put President Trump back in the White House to save our great country, and I am going to do everything I can alongside him to Make America Great Again and Keep Oklahoma Great. There is no time to waste.”