Debra Herlihy

Debra Herlihy (Republican Party) ran for election for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction. She lost in the Republican primary on June 16, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a United States citizen born in Rochester, NY, where I lived until the age of 15. My mother and I then moved to Stroud, Oklahoma, to be next to her family after my father passed away at the age of 55. Throughout my younger years, I played the guitar and was in the Stroud High School Band, where I played the saxophone. In education, I was a year ahead of my other classmates.

After graduating from high school, I earned my Bachelor's in Business Administration with a focus in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship from Cameron University.

I am currently an adjunct professor teaching Introduction to Computers at Rose State College, a Senior Research Analyst at Southern Nazarene University, a faith-based Christian Liberal Arts university, and a doctoral student at Liberty University, pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration with a focus on Educational Leadership to be completed by May 2028.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Restore stability, transparency, and safety by adopting a hybrid schedule for grades 9-12.

Transparent: Help parents and children to learn together

Stability: Virtual learning (4-1) at home for 1 day, classroom learning for 4 days.

Safety: Work with the legislature and school boards to implement a hybrid schedule throughout the academic year (keep intruders from knowing when school is in session).Build a stable, qualified workforce by fostering collaboration through servant and transformational leadership.Raise Oklahoma's National Report Card

Advance and Strengthen Academics: Performance by learning the basics, and then adding advanced arithmetic, reading, and writing for K-3.

Use of Assessment Testing - Formative, Summative, Benchmarking, and Diagnostic

Adaptive Learning Programs: With Artificial Intelligence for Education (AIED) and STREAM programs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

AI Integration and Governance

Educational Equity and Access - Closing the Digital Divide (Doctoral dissertation)

Modernizing Assessment and Curriculum (STREAM instead of STEM).

Evidence-based Literacy and Math Policies

Strengthening the Teacher Pipeline

Student Well-being and Environment (AI using renewable energy for data centers and more efficient energy algorithms.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father, despite his busy day as a Construction Engineer and part of the Labor Union, always managed to sit down with me and help me with my homework because I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Therefore, I hope and pray that many parents can do this with their own children in Oklahoma and throughout America. So, our young entrepreneurs and creative thinkers become intrigued by the prospect of assisting Oklahoma's economy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity (honesty and trustworthiness) ⇒ public service and strong ethical standards to become an effective leader.

Competence and Knowledge ⇒ Willingness to learn regarding governance and financial acumen.

Problem-solver ⇒ dependable, accessible, and active in listening to constituents while obtaining collaboration, civility, and long-term strategic vision (big picture).

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Core responsibilities of an elected official include representing constituent interests, legislating new laws, exercising oversight, and ensuring government transparency. The State Superintendent of Schools must act ethically to foster public trust, engage the community, and work collaboratively to set strategic direction and manage resources for the public good.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Create a vision and action plan to address the needs of Oklahoma's communities by serving as a servant and transformational leader. Bring back the spelling "B" for students in grades 6-8. Be a reader for pre-schoolers and K-3.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Programmer Analyst at Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for 13 years.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Diagnosed with Dyslexia

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Leadership & Administration, Mentorship and Staff Support, Operational Oversight and Policy Development

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Strong strategic leadership, financial acumen for managing large budgets, and effective communication build relationships with legislators. Ability to understand curriculum, assessment, and teaching methods to drive school quality.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Challenger explosion in 1986, I was 16 and watched on TV in my school's classroom.