Oklahoma – State Financial Officers Foundation

About

Cindy Byrd is a certified public accountant who has served as Oklahoma’s state auditor and inspector since 2019. Having begun her second term in January 2023, she is next up for reelection in 2026. Byrd was the 2024 auditor-at-large for the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF).

Before being elected to office, Byrd began working as director of the County Audit Division in 2011, and in 2013, was appointed deputy state auditor over Local Government Services, a capacity she served in until winning her first election in 2018.

As the state’s top financial officer, Byrd serves as vice chair of the Oklahoma State Pension Commission, a member of the State Board of Equalization, chair of the State Board of Equalization Sub-Committee, and commissioner of the State School Land Commission. She also serves on 10 other boards and commissions, and completed more than 1,400 audits during her first term.

In 2023, SFOF gave Byrd the “Transparency in Government” award.

Actions

Signed State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) organized resolution supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza and committing to invest in SFOF bronze-sponsor Israel Bonds despite “Moodys and Standard and Poors (S&P) have[ing] recently downgraded Israel’s credit score, citing a negative outlook on Israel’s economy (5/14/24)

Recent Campaign Filings

Statements of Financial Interests

2023 Statement of Financial Interests

Contact Information

Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector
2300 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 123
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Website: sai.ok.gov/
Phone: (405) 521-3495
Email: mwinburn@sai.ok.gov (Megan Winburn, assistant to the state auditor)

About

Todd Russ was elected as Oklahoma’s state treasurer in November 2022. Prior to running for treasurer, he served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2009–22. During his tenure in the House, he was a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council from 2011 on and was active on its Tax and Fiscal Policy task force.

A fourth-generation resident of Oklahoma, Russ earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and also graduated from the University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking. He has worked for more than 30 years in banking, including serving as president and CEO of Washita State Bank, as a director of the Oklahoma Bankers Association, and as chairman of the OBA Small Bank Council.

Russ received the State Financial Officers Foundation‘s 2023 “Rising Star” award, and in February 2024, Heritage Action recognized Russ for “leadership combatting ESG.”

In October 2024, FOIA Professional Services filed suit against Russ and his Chief of Staff Jordan Harvey for “failing to comply with the Open Records Act by withholding information and documents under the controversial Oklahoma Energy Discrimination Elimination Act which was suspended earlier this year by an Oklahoma County District Court Judge.”

Actions

Signed SFOF-organized, anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) letter to Fortune 1000 Executives (10/24/24)
Signed State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) organized resolution supporting Israel’s genocide in Gaza and committing to invest in SFOF bronze-sponsor Israel Bonds despite “Moodys and Standard and Poors (S&P) have[ing] recently downgraded Israel’s credit score, citing a negative outlook on Israel’s economy (5/14/24)
Listed Blackrock, Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, State Street, Climate First Bank, and Barclays on the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s Restricted Financial Companies List (5/3/24)
Urged BlackRock, State Street and J.P. Morgan Chase to withdraw from the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in a press release (2/21/24)
Spoke on an Israel Bonds (SFOF bronze-level sponsor) virtual briefing to “Support Israel Bonds During Its War Effort” with Israel Bonds President & CEO Dani Naveh and Head of National Sales Stuart Garawitz; NTG Consultants CEO Norm Taplin; Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague; Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs; Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo; and Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity (12/7/23)
Issued a list of 13 financial institutions that are ineligible to do business with Oklahoma for “engaging in energy company boycotts” (5/3/23)
Signed an Advancing American Freedom coalition letter to leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives demanding that “The Woke 401(k) Rule Must Be Repealed” (3/28/23)
Sent letters and questionaires to companies that “may appear on the State of Oklahoma’s list of financial companies that boycott energy companies” for verification (1/30/23)

Recent Campaign Filings

Statements of Financial Interests

2022 Statement of Financial Interests

Contact Information

State Capitol Building, Room 217
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Website: ok.gov/treasurer/
Phone: (405) 521-3191
Email: NA