John Cox

Republican | Oklahoma

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

John Cox


Party

Republican


Election Year

2026


Election

Primary & Special SD17


Race

Superintendent of Public Instruction


Incumbent

No


Links

John Cox websitesJohn Cox phones John Cox emailFacebookXXYouTube

EDUCATION

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Ok, Ed.D. Educational Administration, 1998-2001

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Ok, EDS Educational Specialist, 1996-1998

Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Ok, MS Counseling, 1986-1988

Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Ok, B.S. Mathematics, 1983-1985

Northeastern A&M College, Miami, Ok, AA Associate in Arts, 1982-1983

WORK & MILITARY

Peggs Public School, Superintendent, 1994-2026

Wyandotte, Jay, Locust Grove Schools, Math & Computer Teacher; Athletics Coach, 1986-1993

AFFILIATIONS

Northeastern State University Alumni Association, Past President, 4 years

Oklahoma Schools Assurance Group, Past Chairman, 9 years

Oklahoma Schools Insurance Group, Treasurer, 15 years

Oklahoma Association of School Administrators, Past President, 4 years

Cherokee County Republican Party-Oklahoma, Voting Delegate-2021, 2021-2026

Oklahoma Rural Elementary Schools, President, 2005-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

none

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 2022-2026

ENDORSEMENTS

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (8)

National School Chaplains Association

National Women's Prayer & Voting Army

Ladies For Liberty

City Elders

MOHA PAC

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)

Oklahoma Leadership Council (2025)

Blake Cowboy Stephens (2024)

Dewayne Pemberton (2019)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Dean Martin (2022)

John H. Cox (2005)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

Cyndi Munson (2015)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Democrat Women Organizations (2018)

Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2018)

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate participated in the 2026 Republican Primary Debate: Oklahoma State Superintendent on FOX23 News Tulsa.

Candidate completed the OKGOP Survey in 2026.

Candidate participated in a Superintendent forum in May 2026.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

No circumstances.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Strongly Agree

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Agree


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

It should be determined by the free market/competition with the minimum continuing as is.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

1. Streamline administration; 2. Provide clear focus concerning initiatives; 3. Limit pork projects.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

The state should not interfere with our faith!

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Strongly Disagree


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

C.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes! This is a key component of my Faith.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Strongly Agree


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Strongly Agree

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

Absolutely!

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Strongly Agree

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I live a Christ-centered life, and I strive to be more like Jesus everyday! My faith leads me!


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Disagree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Natural gas/Oil.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Very Conservative

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No! Never!

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No! Never!


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

To help rehabilitate citizens back into society and justly punish citizens for their crimes.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Zero restrictions, except ownership by those that are mentally ill or have felonies.

If you are not already receiving our emails, stay up to date with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the phone number provided.