TULSA, Okla. — Democratic nominee John Croisant is pressing Republican nominee Mark Tedford to participate in a public debate before voters select their next representative for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District.
Croisant’s campaign said it first challenged Tedford publicly in an Aug. 17 Facebook post. The campaign has continued raising the issue on social media but has not identified a formal debate proposal containing a date, venue or host.
“Mark, meet me at the flagpole,” Croisant said in a campaign statement. “You pick the venue. You pick the moderator. You pick the night. Just show up.”
Congressional Candidate John Croisant
Croisant, a Tulsa Public Schools board member, former teacher and insurance agency owner, said voters deserve to hear both candidates answer the same questions before the Nov. 3 general election.
“If you’re asking people to send you to Congress, you should be willing to stand in front of them, answer questions and defend what you believe,” Croisant said.
John Croisant campaign says Mark Tedford knew about the challenge
Croisant’s campaign said he discussed the debate challenge in person with Brian O’Hara at a Tulsa Area United Way event on Aug. 22. The campaign identified O’Hara as a representative of Tedford’s campaign.
According to Croisant’s team, O’Hara said Mark Tedford had not decided whether to debate. O’Hara also reportedly acknowledged that the campaign had seen Croisant’s social media posts.
Croisant’s campaign said no news organization or civic group had offered to host a debate as of Oct. 1. The campaign also said Croisant would participate in a format where an independent moderator selects the questions without advance approval from either campaign.
“I’ll answer the tough questions. I’ll defend my positions, and I’ll listen when voters disagree with me,” Croisant said. “That’s part of the job.”
The campaign has not documented a direct debate invitation containing proposed dates, locations or formats. However, its account indicates that Tedford’s campaign knew about the public challenge by late August.
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Tedford’s campaign does not respond to BWST
The Black Wall Street Times contacted Mark Tedford campaign representatives Josh Wagoner and John Fritz, seeking a response to Croisant’s challenge.
BWST asked whether Tedford would debate Croisant, whether his campaign had received an invitation and what conditions he would require regarding the venue, moderator or format.
Neither representative responded by the publication deadline.
Tedford’s campaign also did not address a conservative voter guide cited by Croisant’s team. The guide lists Tedford as having RSVP’d for a Republican candidate forum during the primary but not attending.
BWST reviewed the copy supplied by Croisant’s campaign. Tedford’s campaign did not respond when asked whether the listing was accurate or why he reportedly missed the forum.
Tedford has represented Oklahoma House District 69 since 2022. The Tulsa County district includes parts of Bixby, Jenks and Tulsa, according to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He has worked in the insurance industry since 1992.
“People shouldn’t have to figure out where their next member of Congress stands from a yard sign or a thirty-second commercial,” Croisant said. “They deserve both candidates on the same stage answering the same tough questions.”
John Croisant and Mark Tedford will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election. The Oklahoma State Election Board’s 2026 calendar lists early voting from Oct. 28 through Oct. 31.
