House Democratic Leader Representative Cyndi Munson is the first Democrat to declare for the 2026 Oklahoma Governor’s race. She went public with her campaign on Tuesday.
“I’m here today because Oklahoma and its leaders invested in me,” said Munson. “I want Oklahoma to be a state that continues to invest in its people and help everyone who works toward their dreams.”
Munson has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since a special election in September of 2015. She flipped a seat long held by Republicans.
The Oklahoma City Democrat grew up in Lawton with a sister and a single father who was serving in the U.S. Army.
“Growing up my dad had to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet,” said Rep. Munson. “We moved 10 times as a kid chasing cheaper rent. Even though we didn’t have a lot, my sister and I had a loving dad who was always there on the front row cheering us on. I not only had my dad, but my teachers, counselors, and many in our community who were there for me and encouraged me.”
Munson indicated that her life experiences are much like the average Oklahoman.
“I’m not what you would call a “typical candidate” for Governor,” said Munson. “I work for a living. I pay my student loans, I rent my house, and I know what it is like to live within a budget. I feel the pressure of rising costs of our daily necessities. I don’t come from a wealthy family. I’m not an extremist. I have a proven track record of working across the aisle to get things done and won’t pander to Washington, DC politicians who only want to continue deepening our political divide.
“I will be a Governor that finds common sense solutions to Oklahoma’s challenges. I will put an end to extremist rhetoric. We need to fund our public schools to the regional average and increase pay for teachers. We have to find tax relief for working families and the middle class, not billionaires and the top 1%. Oklahoma has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. I will put a repeal of the abortion ban to a vote of the people because Oklahoma’s families should make their own healthcare decisions with their doctors, not their state government,” said Munson.
Four Republicans have declared their campaigns for the nomination in the governor’s race.
