William Crozier is back in the ring.
The 79-year-old conservative from Union City has filed once again to run for Oklahoma state superintendent, reviving a long-running reputation for blunt talk and widely criticized ideas. In a recent interview he suggested Oklahoma should ditch school buses in favor of neighborhood schools and floated the idea that textbooks could double as shields against bullets. His return adds an outspoken and controversial voice to an already crowded Republican primary ahead of the June 16 ballot.
In that interview, Crozier told reporters that Oklahoma should “get rid of all the buses” and that textbooks “could be used as shields,” according to Oklahoma Voice. The outlet reports that Crozier took and passed a special-education test but was not hired and that he claimed he had been shut out because he was “too old, too smart” and “knew where they were stealing the money.” The same interview notes this is Crozier’s third run for the office.
On the ballot
The State Election Board’s official candidate list shows William E. Crozier of Union City has filed for state superintendent and will appear on the June 16 Republican primary ballot, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board. The candidate book lists Crozier among the Republican contenders for the post.
Old remarks, new run
Crozier is no newcomer to statewide races. He challenged longtime Superintendent Sandy Garrett in 2006 and ran again in 2022, according to historic returns and past reporting. Official results show Garrett defeated him in 2006. Those earlier campaigns are when his textbook-as-shield idea first burned into the public record, and local coverage has kept bringing it up ever since. News outlets again highlighted the remark when Crozier resurfaced on the trail in 2022, as reported by KJRH.
Where this fits in the race
This year’s vacancy opened after Ryan Walters resigned last year to lead a national teacher-focused organization, according to NonDoc. Since then, the superintendent’s race has drawn a wide roster of Republicans, from lawmakers to district-level leaders. Reporting and state filings show a long list of GOP hopefuls, with the June 16 primary set to decide the nomination unless one candidate manages to clear a majority.
What safety experts say
Federal guidance on active-shooter situations focuses on getting people out of harm’s way or securing rooms, and only as a last resort physically resisting an attacker. The FBI’s “Run. Hide. Fight.” materials emphasize that “cover can stop bullets; concealment will not,” and federal resources stress evacuation, locking and barricading doors, and bleeding control as the main priorities during an attack. FBI training resources and Department of Homeland Security guidance underscore those recommendations rather than improvised body armor.
Crozier’s reentry is likely to pump more volume into debates over school safety and rural education as the June 16 primary closes in. Voters will get a clearer picture of how his long-standing ideas land in 2026 as campaign events, forums, and early voting move ahead across the state.
