After eight years as Oklahoma’s state auditor and inspector, Cindy Byrd was term-limited from seeking another term in that office. The 53-year-old Coalgate Republican won Tuesday’s state treasurer election, defeating Libertarian Kiefer Perry, according to Oklahoma Voice.
The treasurer’s race followed a change in Byrd’s campaign plans. She had announced a run for lieutenant governor, then switched to the treasurer’s contest after President Donald Trump endorsed Republican T.W. Shannon for lieutenant governor. Trump also endorsed Byrd and other Republicans during a campaign stop in Durant, Oklahoma Voice reported.
Byrd secured the Republican nomination by defeating incumbent Treasurer Todd Russ in the June primary. Oklahoma Voice reported that she received 62% of the vote; NonDoc gave her share as 61.7%.
Oklahoma Voice reported that Byrd viewed her election as a sign that voters trusted her. She also described the treasurer’s job as involving collaboration and addressing problems she had identified while serving as auditor.
Perry, 37, of Broken Arrow, said before the election that he did not expect to win and had entered the race to help preserve Libertarians’ ballot access, according to Oklahoma Voice.
