Senate confirms nomination of Van Denhende to OSBE
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – After being compared to a former Soviet Union leader and asked several times if he supports Superintendent Ryan Walters, Chris Van Denhende was confirmed as a nominee to the Board of Education.
'I fear that we have moved from a republic to a direct democracy, where it is, 'Do exactly as I say or else,'' said Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh (R-Edmond).
Pugh said a mass of emails came to those in the Education Committee urging lawmakers not to confirm Van Denhende's nomination. At one point, comparing Van Denhende to former Soviet Union leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.
'My email said we were literally confirming Mikhail Gorbachev to the State Board of Education, and that's insane,' said Senator Pugh.
Gov. Stitt nominates fourth new State Board of Education member in three months
'Apparently, there was something that went out to bombard the Senate Education Committee on my nomination today. I overnight became a green woke Marxist,' said Van Denhende.
Senator Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) grilled Van Denhende for almost an hour, and many questions were asked about whether or not he supports Superintendent Ryan Walters.
'Do you personally disagree with Superintendent Walters' approach to education?' asked Senator Deevers.
Van Denhende is one of the new Governor Stitt-appointed board members. He is one of the first board members to speak out against Superintendent Walters.
The previous board members never said no to anything that Walters put on the agenda to vote on.
The law states that the superintendent decides what goes on each agenda, and the board members vote on it.
Senator Pugh questioned the way he has seen the board operate.
'Six board members, never disagree about anything?' asked Senator Pugh.
'That sort of was the kick off, I guess, to my controversy because I pushed back on Superintendent Walters,' said Van Dehende.
Van Denhende was approved as the nominee in a 9-to-2 vote. There are still three other board members expected to have hearings next week.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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