Ryan Walters Calls on Oklahoma House to Begin His Impeachment Without Delay

Oklahoma’s superintendent of education has thrown down the gauntlet to the state House, challenging them to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.

Addressing reporters outside the House chamber at the state Capitol, Superintendent Ryan Walters dismissed recent allegations of mismanagement at the Oklahoma State Department of Education as politically motivated attacks by lawmakers eyeing higher positions.

He called on House members to commence the impeachment process promptly by submitting any evidence against him to the state Senate, believing this action would bring clarity to the situation and dispel falsehoods about his leadership.

“We do not need to delay for an investigation,” Walters declared during a hastily arranged press briefing on Friday. “It is imperative to begin the proceedings without delay.”

House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, rebuffed the suggestion of impeaching an elected official.

“I will uphold the public mandate, irrespective of any calls made,” McCall asserted in a statement issued on Friday.

Members of Walters’ own Republican party in the Legislature have recently voiced dissatisfaction with the superintendent, highlighting concerns about the Education Department withholding funding for school security, asthma inhalers, and teacher maternity leave.

They also raised objections to what they perceive as a lack of cooperation from Walters’ administration in response to their inquiries, as well as allegations of his staff preventing legislators from attending private meetings of the state Board of Education, despite the lawmakers having legal authority to be present.

Walters refuted any claims of opacity, accusing lawmakers of circulating unfounded accusations against him.

In particular, he called out Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, who penned a missive this week urging an investigation into potential impeachable actions by Walters.

Walters accused both McCall and McBride of seeking his impeachment for personal gain, despite the speaker dismissing calls for an impeachment probe earlier in the week.

He alleged that McCall, who purportedly plans to run for governor in 2026, is targeting him as a political adversary in the upcoming election.

“The speaker’s motives to impeach me are driven by political expediency for the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Walters contended. “Therefore, let us commence the impeachment process.”

McCall has not formally announced a gubernatorial bid, and Walters insisted that he has no personal stake in future elections.

McBride refrained from immediate comment on Friday afternoon.

On Thursday, McCall disclosed his agreement to allow the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, a state watchdog agency, to conduct an inquiry into financial concerns within the Education Department.

McCall deemed LOFT as the “ideal entity” to scrutinize state agency expenditures, averting the necessity for a legislative special session to address financial disputes. The agency provides budgetary recommendations to the state Legislature.

“While Superintendent Walters may be eager for his own impeachment, my primary focus remains on the LOFT review of the Oklahoma State Department of Education finances,” McCall emphasized. “This investigation aims to ensure prudent allocation of taxpayer funds rather than targeting individuals. It is crucial to understand the reasons behind delayed funding to school districts. I advise Superintendent Walters to prioritize school resources and enhance education standards, instead of engaging in political theatrics.”

Although the state Senate was not directly involved in initiating the LOFT investigation, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat confirmed on Friday that the chamber would not impede the process.

“While senators may need to recuse themselves to avoid potential conflicts of interest upon reviewing the findings, I respect Speaker McCall’s decision to proceed with the inquiry and will not obstruct it,” Treat, R-Oklahoma City, stated. “I hope the House proceeds swiftly, and the Senate stands prepared to address any results.”

House Democrats have repeatedly called on the Republican supermajority to establish a committee for investigating Walters’ actions. They reiterated their demand for clarifications on fiscal and operational issues at the Education Department on Friday.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, asserted that “we need an investigative panel tasked with holding (Walters) accountable for his deliberate negligence in performing his duties as state superintendent.”