Jerry
Griffin
Dr. Jerry Griffin is an independent candidate for Governor of Oklahoma in the 2026 general election, a Marine veteran, former Tulsa police major, and ex-TPS school board member.
- sources
- 7
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Dr. Jerry Griffin is an independent candidate for Governor of Oklahoma in the November 3, 2026 general election. He is a Tulsa resident who served on the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education (District 6), having been elected in June 2020; he resigned effective January 2, 2024, before his term was due to expire in April 2024. 1916
Griffin's background spans military service, law enforcement, education, and business. He is a Marine Corps veteran, a former Tulsa police officer (retiring at the rank of major), and a former Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana. He has taught at Southwest Texas State University, Wichita State University, and the University of Phoenix, and has served as vice president of information networking at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. 166
Griffin holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a doctorate in education, both from the University of Tulsa, an MBA from Southern Methodist University, and an Executive Juris Doctorate from Purdue University Global. He is also listed as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Oklahoma. 1612
Griffin is running as an independent in the 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial race. He has lived in Tulsa for more than 40 years and is also an author. 1316
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- Governor, Oklahoma
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- governorgriffin2027.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsOklahoma voter-registration deadline passes ahead of November 3 election
Oklahoma's voter-registration deadline for the November 3 general election, on which Griffin appears as an independent gubernatorial candidate, fell on October 9.
Mike Mazzei vs. Cyndi Munson: Where Oklahoma governor ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsSmarter.Vote profile updated for Griffin, noting limited policy detail and no fundraising totals
A Smarter.Vote candidate profile updated on October 9 described Griffin as running 'for all Oklahomans' but reported no detailed current policy positions in most issue areas and no public contribution totals.
Jerry Griffin — 2026 Oklahoma Governor Election | Smarter.Vote · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8filingGriffin listed as independent candidate on Oklahoma's November 3 governor ballot
Oklahoma voter guides and local news reports listed Griffin as an independent on the November 3 general-election ballot, alongside independents Robert E. Brooks Sr. and Orlando Lynn Bush, and major-party nominees Mazzei and Munson.
November 2026 Elections: Federal and state - Tulsa Flyer · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 8newsTulsa Flyer reports Griffin had not filed an Ethics Commission campaign finance report
A Tulsa Flyer voter guide noted that Griffin had not filed an Ethics Commission report, with the caveat that campaigns receiving or spending at least $1,000 are required to file such reports.
November 2026 Elections: Federal and state - Tulsa Flyer · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1debateOETA gubernatorial debate held without Griffin; only Mazzei and Munson participated
OETA hosted the sole scheduled gubernatorial debate before the November 3 election, featuring Republican Mike Mazzei and Democrat Cyndi Munson. Griffin, an independent candidate, did not participate.
Election Coverage | 2026 Oklahoma Governor's Debate | Season 2026 | Episode 4 · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jan 1, 2023newsGriffin publishes reading-focused education-reform blueprint
Jerry Griffin's campaign site references a 2023 education-reform blueprint focused on reading, though no newer governor-specific education proposal was located in available sources.
Jerry Griffin — 2026 Oklahoma Governor Election | Smarter.Vote · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 7
- [1] Jerry Griffin — 2026 Oklahoma Governor Election | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] November 2026 Elections: Federal and state - Tulsa Flyer(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Mike Mazzei vs. Cyndi Munson: Where Oklahoma governor ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Election Coverage | 2026 Oklahoma Governor's Debate | Season 2026 | Episode 4(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Jerry Griffin(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
- [6] <![CDATA[Palomega Broadcasting Company Podcast]]>(opens in a new tab) Aug 2, 2026
- [7] Dr. Jerry Griffin for Governor of Oklahoma 2026 — Independent(opens in a new tab) May 28, 2026