From the Classroom to the Community
A fifth-generation Oklahoman and lifelong Tulsa resident, John Croisant’s career began not in politics, but in education and community service. After graduating from the University of Tulsa in 1999, he spent over a decade as a social studies teacher at Edison Preparatory School. Alongside teaching, he was a girls' soccer coach for two decades, a role that he says shaped his views on teamwork and youth development. After his time in the classroom, Croisant transitioned into the private sector, where he currently owns and operates an insurance agency. His professional life has been consistently rooted in the Tulsa area, where he has also been involved with organizations like the Rotary Club of Tulsa and the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
A Record on the Tulsa School Board
Croisant's first
major step into public office came in 2020, when he was elected to the Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education to represent District 5. He assumed office in July of that year, later serving as the board's finance committee chair. During his tenure, he has pointed to improvements in district test scores as a key achievement. However, his time on the board has not been without public scrutiny. The board has faced questions over issues that occurred during his term, including the discovery of embezzlement by a former district employee and controversy surrounding administrative bonuses. Croisant has maintained that as a board member, he is not directly involved in district hiring decisions.
The 2026 Congressional Campaign
In 2025, Croisant announced his most ambitious political move yet: a run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District. With the Democratic primary on June 16, 2026, being canceled, he advanced directly to the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. He is running on a platform centered on bolstering public education, lowering costs for working families, and increasing government accountability. His policy proposals include support for congressional term limits, a ban on stock trading by members of Congress, and campaign finance reform aimed at reducing the influence of money in politics. His Republican opponent in the race is Mark Tedford.
An Uphill Climb in a Republican Stronghold
Running as a Democrat in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District presents a formidable challenge. The district is solidly Republican, and Croisant's campaign is widely seen as an uphill battle. Recognizing this, his strategy appears to focus on grassroots engagement and highlighting his practical experience on the school board rather than strict party ideology. His campaign has raised over $140,000, primarily from individual donors, positioning him as a community-funded candidate. By focusing on his local credentials and presenting himself as a problem-solver, Croisant is attempting to build a coalition that can overcome the district's strong partisan lean in his bid for a seat in Washington.
