Representative John Waldron

D

District 77

Hi, I’m John Waldron and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 77th District.


representative

Leadership

Minority Caucus Vice Chair / Secretary

59th Legislature

Assistant Minority Floor Leader

58th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 9, 2025

Menz, Pogemiller, Waldron conduct interim study on childhood hunger

OKLAHOMA CITY – Tuesday, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study on childhood hunger in Oklahoma and its impacts. Officials from Hunger Free Oklahoma, Norman Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OU Health, and Mission: Readiness, as well as the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture presented during the study. The study revealed many findings about the state of childhood hunger in Oklahoma and explored potential solutions. It showed that 64% of Oklahoma families qualify for free/reduced lunches and that one in four children in Oklahoma are food insecure. Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation for food insecurity. The study also found that food insecurity in teens has a negative impact on their mental health, which increases the risk of suicide and other mental health struggles. “Food insecurity has lasting health costs for our state,” said Pogemiller. “When we expand access to SNAP, school meals, and summer feeding, we invest in healthier kids and stronger communities.” Oklahoma is not alone in its battle against childhood hunger. According to the study, 77% of America's youth can't meet the physical qualifications for military service, making childhood malnutrition a national security threat. “Investing in solutions to childhood hunger isn’t just feeding children, it’s fueling the future,” said Menz. “Every meal given today nourishes a mind, strengthens a community, and builds a more prosperous society for us all.”  The study showed there are efforts in place to combat this, such as Oklahoma farmers supplementing feeding programs in the state. The Oklahoma Department of Ag's "Local Food 4 Schools" program also helps keep food quality high for feeding programs. The study explored that a large portion of schools in the state are eligible to leverage federal funding to expand their free lunch programs, but they are not doing it because they would still have to pay for part of it and they can't afford it.  One solution offered during the study was the formation of a task force with the goal of providing great quality meals in schools with no costs to families.  “School’s lunch and breakfast programs are a win-win,” said Waldron. “Feeding kids boosts health and nutrition, behavior and test scores. Oklahoma is a farm state where no child should go hungry. I’m glad the Chairman wants a bipartisan task force to produce ways to improve school nutrition.” You can view the entire study on the  Oklahoma House of Representatives website. -END-

Oct 2, 2025

Oklahoma House Democrats respond to changes at State Department of Education

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members and former educators of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus responded on Thursday to changes announced to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). “Today, Governor Stitt announced drastic changes to OSDE. I want to congratulate Superintendent Lindel Fields, and I look forward to meeting him and working with him on behalf of our students, teachers, and families. I also look forward to meeting and working with Secretary of Education Dan Hamlin. I am hopeful that these appointments will be an improvement to the last State Superintendent, but it is important to remember that the bar has not been set at a high level.  “The challenges our public education system faces have been longstanding before the previous superintendent and seriously need to be addressed by legislative leaders. We must set a higher standard for ourselves to come together to eliminate these challenges that can be solved by working together. Republicans have had the reins on state government in Oklahoma for nearly two decades and they have prioritized tax cuts for the wealthiest and investments in private school vouchers with public tax dollars. This has left public education in Oklahoma underfunded for several years. It is my hope that the new team at OSDE works to listen to teachers and experts on the best ways to improve public education for everyone–students, teachers, and families. I disagree with putting forth legislation to make the Superintendent of Public Education a governor-appointed position. If we want to see the changes needed to our public education system, it should be up to the public to choose, and up to the legislature to listen.”  – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Whomever holds the job of State Superintendent must focus on two critical areas: stopping the teacher exodus and realigning the job to its true north–serving our kids, supporting our teachers, and reassuring families that the State Superintendent is there to help Oklahoma become, once again, one of the top states in the nation for student success. “We have everything we need to get this job done. We just need the right person to blaze the path. I wish Mr. Fields every success, and look forward to helping him achieve it.”  – House Assistant Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa “I’m glad the new superintendent showed respect for teachers and for civility. That’s a needed rebuke of Ryan Walters’ methods. There’s a lot to do. We don’t just have to right the ship, we have to rebuild it, and that will take a greater commitment to public education than we have seen from this administration so far.”  – Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa “While I am cautiously optimistic about Lindel Fields’ appointment today as interim superintendent, there is significant work ahead to address the harm caused by the previous administration while also meeting the challenges facing Oklahoma’s schools. Experience shows that strong public and legislative oversight remain essential. I also want to be clear: I will strongly oppose any effort to turn the superintendent into a governor-appointed position rather than one elected by the people. The Legislature’s past decision to put OSDE appointments into the governor’s hands is part of why we’re in this mess. Checks and balances can’t work when power is consolidated and oversight is removed. Oklahomans must stay engaged: attend school board meetings, communicate with legislators, and demand transparency to ensure this office serves students first, not politics.”  – Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa “My great hope is that once the mess left by Ryan Walters is cleaned up, Mr. Fields and the administration will think outside the box to solve actual problems, instead of doubling down on the failed education policies (over-testing, private school vouchers, profiting, and the vilifying of teachers) that got us here in the first place.”  – Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-

Sep 25, 2025

House Democratic Caucus responds to Walters’ resignation

OKLAHOMA CITY – Former educators and members of the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus released the following statements after the announcement that the Oklahoma State Superintendent is resigning from his post. “We are facing some of the most difficult challenges in public education in Oklahoma, and as per usual, the State Superintendent continues to keep the attention on him—even as he announces his resignation. We must remember that our 50th in the nation ranking for public education did not happen overnight or by Ryan Walters alone. Republicans have been in charge of state government for nearly two decades prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthiest and corporations and making massive investments in private school vouchers with our public tax dollars. The result has been a lack of investment in public education which has resulted in larger class sizes and low teacher pay. House Democrats made six calls to Republican legislative leaders to hold Ryan Walters accountable to no avail, and now, he is leaving office without answering any questions that Oklahomans have demanded. It is now time for us to get away from the distractions and put our focus on our students, teachers, and families—we have plenty of work to do, and it will take all of us.”  — Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City “Today brings a new beginning and opportunity for Oklahoma schools and our children. We have a lot of work to do to heal the damage of the last several years. That begins with renewed funding, and a sincere plea:  “Teachers, stick with us. Stay. If you’ve left, please come back. We need you, because Oklahoma kids deserve the best.”  — Oklahoma House Democratic Assistant Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa “Superintendent Walters brought chaos and polarization to the state’s largest appropriated agency. Oklahoma Democrats were the first to call for action to rein in his reckless administration of public schools for 700,000 Oklahomans. The GOP did nothing as we fell to 50th in education. We are glad to see his resignation. Good riddance.”  — Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa “While it’s wonderful to wake up knowing the specter of the most incompetent state superintendent in Oklahoma history has vanished, what hasn’t vanished is his agenda. Our opposition was never solely about the superintendent, it’s the incompetence, the lies, the waste of taxpayer dollars, and the rhetoric. The work to protect our public schools, to listen to parents, to support our teachers, to provide transparency of our tax dollars continues, always!”  — Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman “While Walters announced his resignation on Fox News, the Governor’s office has not yet confirmed when or if it will take effect. Like many in my district, I am glad to finally see Walters put students first by resigning as superintendent. Unfortunately, his resignation won't magically fix all the harm he has done. Nor will it erase the failure of the Legislature to hold elected officials accountable and provide oversight of state agencies. His replacement will also be appointed by Governor Stitt, the same person who appointed him Secretary of Education in 2020. Whether you are celebrating his departure or not, this is the time for the people of Oklahoma to stay engaged. I encourage all Oklahomans to continue attending state and local board meetings as well as being in communication with legislators. Oklahoma’s students deserve better, and real change will only come when we demand it together.”   — Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa -END-