Democrat · Oklahoma's 1st District · 2026
John Croisant
Croisant spent 12 years teaching sixth grade geography and coaching high school girls' soccer.
Biography
John Croisant spent 12 years teaching sixth grade geography and coaching high school girls' soccer at Tulsa's Edison Preparatory.1 Earlier, he taught in the New Orleans area; he and his wife, Deborah, returned to Tulsa after Hurricane Katrina.1 His congressional campaign also introduces him as a parent.2
Born and raised in Tulsa, Croisant attended Jenks schools and earned a political science degree from the University of Tulsa.1 He completed a prelaw certificate and teacher training before choosing education as his career.1 In 2018, he retired from teaching to open an insurance agency.1
Croisant joined the Tulsa school board in 2020 and won reelection in 2024, with his current term ending in 2028.3 His District 5 includes Edison Middle and High School, where he previously worked.1 His official biography describes grants arranged with Allstate and UpliftEd to support students and teachers, along with involvement in the Tulsa Rotary Club and Regional Chamber.1
For Congress, Croisant supports expanded health coverage, affordable housing and childcare, and repealing federal Medicaid cuts.4 He also proposes congressional term limits, a government stock trading ban and a five year wait before former officials become lobbyists.4 On immigration, he supports a secure border and a path to citizenship for long term residents who pay taxes and contribute to their communities.4 He faces Republican Mark Tedford for Oklahoma's First District seat.5
Record and controversies
School district audit and board oversight
Croisant joined the Tulsa Public Schools board in 2020 and was its vice president when a state audit was released in February 2025.36 Covering 2015 through 2023, including years before his term, the audit criticized district financial controls and administrative and board oversight.76 In August 2026, the state auditor reported more than $3.7 million in misspent or mismanaged bond money under a former director.8 The attorney general's August 18 release identified that former director and two associates as facing 27 conspiracy, embezzlement and kickback charges.9 Responding to the later audit, Croisant said the board introduced stronger accounting practices after an external audit in 2021 and implemented auditors' and investigators' recommendations during his tenure.8