Cameron University to host GOP runoff debate between Franklin, Taylor for Oklahoma superintendent of education

Cameron University has agreed to host a debate between the two GOP candidates for state superintendent of public instruction ahead of this month's primary runoff election. Robert Franklin and James Taylor will face off in the debate scheduled for 7 p.m. this Thursday in the University Theatre on Cameron's Lawton campus.

Franklin, a former Sand Springs educator and Tulsa Tech administrator, and Taylor, a history teacher and Norman pastor, topped the Republican field for the position in the June 16 primary. The runoff election between the pair is Aug. 25, with the winner facing Democrat Jennettie Marshall in the Nov. 3 general election.

The debate, titled "School of Thought," will be broadcast live on KSWO-TV. Cameron is partnering with NonDoc, the Lawton Constitution and KSWO to make the debate possible in southwest Oklahoma.

Tres Savage of NonDoc and Jennah James of KSWO will moderate the debate. All questions will be written and asked by professional journalists. The Frontier will handle fact-checking efforts.

Those wishing to attend the debate in person must RSVP using a Google Form on NonDoc's website, www.nondoc.com. In addition to airing live on Channel 7, the debate will be streamed on KSWO.com, KSWO's YouTube page and the Facebook pages of KSWO and NonDoc.

The University Theatre is located on the southwest corner of 27th Street and A Ave. in Lawton.

PR#26-080