The Network for Public Education Action proudly endorses Erica Watkins for Oklahoma Congressional District 1

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The Network for Public Education Action proudly endorses Erica Watkins for Oklahoma Congressional District 1. Erica is a public school mom and a veteran. Erica fought for her country in Afghanistan, and has vowed to fight at home for all Oklahoma children to get an equal education. She has mobilized parents, educators, and community organizers to push back against the extremist agenda being pushed by many Oklahoma leaders.

Erica sees that Oklahoma is facing rural hospital closures, one of the most neglected public education systems, a crumbling infrastructure, rising cost of living and a declining quality of life. She is running to change that. She is running to put people over politics, to fight for working families, educators, veterans, and everyday Oklahomans who just want fairness and freedom.

Top priority: public education.
Erica will defend the Department of Education, fully fund public schools, and end voucher schemes that siphon tax dollars from the schools that serve all kids. She’ll tackle Oklahoma’s teacher shortage and chronic underfunding that lead to crowded classrooms, outdated buildings, and teachers buying basic supplies. She’ll stand up to culture-war attacks, book bans, and censorship that drive great educators out of the profession, and push for more school-based support to address absenteeism and student mental-health needs.

Where she stands:

  • Vouchers: “They’re coupons for the rich—a scam that drains public schools and hands public money to private institutions that can exclude students. Public dollars should fund public schools, period.”
  • Charter schools: “If charters exist, they must be fully transparent and accountable—open meetings, public budgets, real oversight—and designed to meet specific community needs. I haven’t advocated for a charter; my focus is ensuring every publicly funded school serves students equitably.”

NPE Action urges Oklahoma public education supporters to get out the vote for Erica in the primary election on June 16, 2026.

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Authorized and paid for by Network for Public Education Action, PO Box 227. New York, NY 10156. 646-678-4477.