Senate education leader Adam Pugh shifts focus to Oklahoma superintendent’s office

Editor’s note: This is the sixth of a series of profiles on the seven Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination for state superintendent. Profiles will run in alphabetical order.

State Capitol observers will recognize Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, as the author of several prominent education policies, including two teacher pay raises and sweeping changes to reading instruction laws. The 10-year lawmaker now aims to bring his knowledge of the legislative process to the state Department of Education. 

Pugh, 48, is one of seven Republicans running in the June 16 primary election for state superintendent. The statewide elected office leads the Education Department and the Oklahoma State Board of Education.

The superintendent position “is about executive-level leadership” of a major state agency, Pugh said. He pointed to his leadership experience in the U.S. Air Force, as an aerospace industry business owner and in the state Senate as the right credentials for the job.

Pugh said his most important point of view, though, is as a father of three children, all of whom attend public schools.

Families must be part of the solution to Oklahoma’s academic struggles, he said. Children need their parents to read to them, help with their homework, address poor behavior and stay engaged in their schooling.

Without that, a child shows up to school not ready to learn, Pugh said. Asking teachers and schools “to do more, to be more, to take on more” to compensate for a child’s lack of support at home is “unfair.”

“I always want to start with the family because I think that’s where it has to start,” he said. “That’s obviously outside the scope of the state superintendent, but I think what’s really important is what that means when the state superintendent can recognize that.

“If I want parents to be engaged, I’ve got to make them feel like they are welcome to the school. I’ve got to make sure they have a seat at every table and make sure that their perspective is always valued and considered.”

Teachers also should be respected and consulted in state-level decisions, he said. Pugh pledged to continue to advocate for higher teacher pay, along with policies that reward those who are highest-performing.

Teacher salaries should start at $50,000 if Oklahoma wants to keep pace with surrounding states, he said.

Pugh has voted in favor of expanding tax credits for private-school families. He said parents should “have all the options possible to choose” where to send their children to school, including a faith-based education. However, the state shouldn’t mandate religious teachings in the classroom, he said.

GOP voters on June 16 will choose between Pugh, 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 and high school teacher James Taylor.

Former Tulsa Board of Education member Jennettie Marshall and retired El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay are running in the Democratic primary.

Former state Superintendent Ryan Walters, a Republican, did not seek a second term after resigning early from office Sept. 30 to lead an anti-teacher-union nonprofit. Lindel Fields, who was appointed to finish Walters’ term, kept his promise not to run for the position in the 2026 elections.