Oklahoma's State Superintendent Ryan Walters is facing scrutiny as the Ethics Commission launches a twin probe into his conduct. Walters, halfway through his term, is accused of misusing his official social media accounts to advocate for political candidates, specifically former President Donald Trump, potentially violating state ethics laws. According to News 4, the Ethics Commission has found "reasonable cause to believe that violations of one or more" provisions occurred.
Documents revealed by the Ethics Commission show examples of posts made by Walters where he is seen endorsing Trump. On election day, Walters posted a video stating, "Just got through casting my ballot for President Trump," as reported by The Oklahoman. Another post criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming she was the "biggest threat" to various aspects of the American way of life.
The ethics concerns extend to Walters' campaign finances, as investigation into his 2022 campaign funds is also ongoing. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission unanimously voted for executive director Lee Anne Bruce Boone to pursue prosecution. In a move diverging from typical confidentiality practices, Commissioner Adam Weintraub motioned to reveal Walters' identity citing public interest, as per an interview with NonDoc. Walters has yet to formally respond to requests for comments on the investigation as confirmed by NonDoc.
As part of the procedures, the Ethics Commission has also issued a subpoena seeking Walters' campaign records after failing to receive a response to their October request. His attorney has objected to the subpoena's request, arguing absence of any responsive documents to produce, NonDoc disclosed. Dan Isett, OSDE director of communications, refrained from commenting on the issue when approached, labeling it a "campaign-side thing."
If allegations hold true, Walters' actions may undermine the integrity of an office bound by strict ethics laws designed to separate personal political beliefs from public service. Both probes reflect the ongoing effort to maintain accountability for public officials. The Commission is preparing to file a civil case against Walters in Oklahoma County should settlement negotiations falter, as Lee Anne Bruce Boone informed NonDoc.
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