Byrd defeats Libertarian to win Oklahoma state treasurer

OKLAHOMA CITY – Voters selected Republican State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd on Tuesday to become Oklahoma’s next state treasurer. 

Byrd, of Coalgate, easily defeated Libertarian Kiefer Perry.

Byrd said her victory Tuesday shows that voters are willing to trust her.

“They know that I have worked hard for them to show them where their money is really going as the state auditor,” she said. “That’s important because you have to do that to make sure that there’s transparency and accountability in government. This next role is going to be more about collaboration and helping to fix those things that I reported as going wrong, and I’m really looking forward to that challenge.”

Byrd, 53, is term limited as state auditor and inspector after serving eight years. 

She defeated incumbent Republican State Treasurer Todd Russ in the June primary to earn the nomination with 62% of the vote.

Byrd initially announced she intended to run for lieutenant governor, but when President Donald Trump endorsed Republican T.W. Shannon, she made a last-minute decision to run for state treasurer.

Trump endorsed Byrd and a host of other Republicans on a campaign stop in Durant.

As state auditor, she oversaw several high profile audits, including that of Epic Charter school, Tulsa Public Schools, the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the State Department of Education.

Perry, 37, of Broken Arrow, acknowledged he didn’t think he would win and said he filed to maintain ballot access for Libertarians.

In order for Libertarians to continue to be recognized on the ballot, at least one candidate for statewide office must receive 2.5% of the total votes in either of the two preceding general elections.