State Auditor Cindy Byrd’s June victory marked the first primary loss by an incumbent Oklahoma state treasurer since 1994. No Democrat filed for the November election.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma voters will choose between Republican Cindy Byrd and Libertarian Kiefer Perry for state treasurer Nov. 3 in a race that already produced a result not seen in more than three decades.
Byrd, the state auditor and inspector, defeated incumbent Treasurer Todd Russ in the June 16 Republican primary. She received 61.7% of the vote, compared with 38.3% for Russ.
Byrd’s win marked the first primary defeat of an incumbent Oklahoma state treasurer since 1994, when Republican Claudette Henry lost to Bob Keasler. Democrat Robert Butkin then defeated Keasler in the general election and succeeded Henry.
This year, however, Democrats did not field a candidate for treasurer. The November ballot lists only Byrd and Perry.
Byrd moves from auditor’s office
Byrd, a certified public accountant from Coalgate, has served as state auditor since 2019. She previously worked in the auditor’s office for more than two decades, including as deputy state auditor.
She had organized a campaign for lieutenant governor before changing races during the April filing period and challenging Russ, a fellow Republican seeking a second term.
Perry, a Broken Arrow resident, advanced to the general election without a Libertarian primary opponent. He serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma Libertarian Party.
What the treasurer does
The state treasurer oversees Oklahoma’s banking, investment and cash-management operations.
The office does not set tax rates or decide how much state government spends. Its responsibility begins after public money is collected, ensuring that the money is accounted for, deposited, invested and distributed properly.
The Treasurer’s Office says it is responsible for investing about $15 billion in non-pension state funds. The office lists safety, liquidity and return on investment as its primary investment objectives.
The treasurer also operates the unclaimed property program and serves on several state boards and commissions that oversee public investments, pensions, college savings plans and other financial operations.
Russ remains in office until his term ends Jan. 11.
Both financial offices changing hands
The election also means Oklahoma’s two statewide financial offices will change hands at the same time.
Byrd could not seek another term as state auditor because of Oklahoma’s eight-year term limit. Republican Melissa Capps, a deputy state auditor, was the only candidate to file for that office and was elected without opposition.
As a result, voters will not see the state auditor’s race on their November ballots. In the treasurer’s race, they will have a choice, but not a Democratic candidate.
The general election is Nov. 3.
