Q&A: Cyndi Munson on why she is running for Governor and her vision for Oklahoma

State Representative Cyndi Munson, the first Asian American woman elected to the Oklahoma Legislature and current House Minority Leader, has announced her candidacy for governor.

Announcement: Oklahoma House Rep. Cyndi Munson announces run for governor

Cyndi Munson on why she is running for Governor and her vision

Cyndi Munson and Family

Cyndi Munson and Nephew

Cyndi Munson

Cyndi Munson and Girl Scouts

Cyndi Munson

Cyndi Munson

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In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Haley Weger, House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson opened up about her decision to run for governor of Oklahoma.

Q: Why did you decide now is the time to run for governor?

A: "Right now is a perfect opportunity — I think for me, but for anyone that's wanting something different for Oklahoma. We see what's happening at the federal level. There's so much uncertainty and the uncertainty in how it's impacting the state of Oklahoma. And you see all of our statewide leaders really catering or pandering to the President and the things he is advocating for versus really paying attention to everyday Oklahomans."

Q: How has your experience as Minority Leader shaped your decision?

A: "Being in the Legislature for 10 years, I've had the opportunity to knock thousands of doors. As Minority Leader, I've traveled across the state — hearing from people and what they care about. And I felt like this was a good opportunity for me and a right time for me to take my public service to another level and hear more on what's important for Oklahomans and get focused back on what's going on in education, what are they dealing with and facing when it comes to our economic challenges?"

Q: What do you want voters to see in you?

A: "Hopefully they see a real person, somebody who lives just like they do and has their real struggles and trying to solve those problems."

Q: Tell us a bit about your background.

A: "I grew up in Lawton. My dad was stationed at Fort Sill when I was four and a half. So the military and public service has always been important to me. And public service was really introduced to me by my dad... He raised my sister and I... My dad really felt like it's his role to take care of his kids. And so he had full custody of us while being in the military, working multiple jobs after that continued so my sister and I could have the best opportunity possible."

Q: What issues are driving your campaign?

A: "I felt like I want to make a difference for the women and girls in Oklahoma. You look at our statistics when it comes to healthcare, education, especially incarceration. I felt like we need to be better for women and girls in Oklahoma... Until policymakers are focused on creating policies that actually help families, specifically women and girls, then things won't change. And that's when I decided to run for office."

Q: What are some accomplishments you’re proud of?

A: "One for me is standing up for sexual assault survivors. Of course, eliminating the state grocery tax was a big accomplishment for Democrats and Republicans came around and worked on that with us."

Q: How do you approach bipartisanship?

A: "My hope, and what I've had to do as Minority Leader, as a Democrat in the House of Representatives, is figure out how I can make my way across the aisle and where can we find ways to agree on issues... The response I've heard from Oklahomans — saying, 'Thank you for being a grownup. Thank you for giving me hope again that Democrats and Republicans can work together.' I've done that my entire career. I plan to do that as governor."

Q: How would your experience in the Legislature influence your role as governor?

A: "You know how it feels being in the Legislature in terms of separation of powers — knowing what the Legislature is in control of and what the governor is in control of and staying in that lane, figuring out how to negotiate and build relationships... I'll have a higher respect for legislative leaders and the work that they had to do and the way that they had to build coalitions, even with their own caucus."

Q: What would your leadership style look like?

A: "I've built relationships with Republicans who are way on the opposite aisle as I am, but then there are things we do work together on. To me, that's leadership, and that's what we need to improve our democracy."

Q: How do you plan to engage with voters during the campaign?

A: "We want to meet people where they are and listen to their stories and hear about the things they care about, what it is that they love about Oklahoma and what they want to see for the future."

Q: What do you want Oklahomans to know about you?

A: "My message to them is that I'm just like you — I know what it's like to get up every day and go to work and having those challenging times where you think, how am I gonna stretch this paycheck five more days to get to the end of the month?... I don't care about your political party or your political affiliation. I don't care who you voted for for president. My dad voted for Trump and he supports me."

Q: Any final message to voters?

A: "I want them to see someone who really cares about them and cares about the future of the state of Oklahoma. There's nothing super special about me, I'm just choosing to do it. I'm putting one foot in front of the other so I can work for the state."