Key takeaways from Cyndi Munson's Oklahoma Governor campaign launch

House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson formally announced her candidacy for Governor of Oklahoma at a press conference on Tuesday at the state capitol. Here are the key takeaways from her address.

Her personal background.

Munson said she grew up in Lawton as the daughter of a single father serving in the U.S. Army. Her family moved frequently in search of affordable rent.

Education played a key role in her life.

Munson said she was able to attend the University of Central Oklahoma with the help of Oklahoma’s Promise and became the first in her family to graduate from college.

"I want Oklahoma to be a state that continues to invest in its people and help all those little other little Cyndis out there who are working towards their dreams."

She described herself as a working Oklahoman.

Munson said she works for a living, rents her home, pays student loans, and knows what it is like to live on a budget.

Her campaign priorities include education and tax relief.

Munson called for raising teacher and support staff pay, funding public schools to the regional average, and providing tax relief for working families.

"We need to fund our public schools to the regional average and increase pay for teachers and support staff. We have to find tax relief for working families in the middle class, not just billionaires in the top 1%."

She plans to put abortion access on the ballot.

Munson said she supports letting Oklahomans vote on whether to repeal the state’s current abortion ban.

"Oklahoma has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country that continually puts Oklahoma's women's lives at risk because they cannot afford the health care they need. I will put a repeal of the abortion ban to a vote of the people, because Oklahoma's family should make their own health care decisions with their doctors, not their state government."

She referenced bipartisan work in the legislature.

Munson said she has a track record of working with Republicans in the state legislature and intends to continue that approach if elected governor.

She previously flipped a legislative seat.

Munson said she was the first Democrat to flip her district from Republican to Democrat and credited voter outreach across party lines..

"I'm going to listen to every single person. It doesn't matter who they voted for, who they voted for in the past. What's most important is solving today's challenges, and I'll do that by listening to them"

She will remain House Democratic Leader during the campaign.

Munson’s term as a state representative runs through November 2026, and she confirmed she will continue in her current leadership role.

She plans to campaign across the state.

Munson said she will spend the next year and a half traveling throughout Oklahoma to hear from residents about their concerns and priorities.

"I want to know what they love about Oklahoma and what they think we can do better, because that is what this campaign is about the people of our great state, and that is what I will carry with me as your next governor."