Only Cindy Byrd, CPA is Equipped on Day One with the Knowledge & Expertise to Fulfill the Duties of the Lt. Governor
Due to recent legislation (HB3503) the Lt. Governor role became advisory only to Tourism, serving as an influential voice to promote growth, with an added emphasis on financial oversight responsibilities.
As your current State Auditor & Inspector, Cindy Byrd, CPA already serves on major state financial and investment boards alongside the current Lt. Governor, overseeing billions in state assets.
Cindy Byrd knows and understands how important TOURISM is for the State of Oklahoma and is the only candidate for Lt. Governor that has completed 2 deep dive audits on the Department of Tourism in the past 5 years. Byrd identified challenges and recommended best practices for implementation to ensure proper stewardship in promoting our state's third largest economic driver, and will make it a priority to increase the marketing budget for tourism in our state to be competitive in the region.
As Lt. Governor, Cindy Byrd is uniquely qualified to assist the Governor’s CEO role in the state, possessing knowledge of government operations and funding flows from federal to state, county, and municipal and school districts. Byrd knows how to lower taxes while preserving core constitutional services such as public safety, infrastructure, and education. She can market effectively Oklahomans' freedom to grow a vibrant economy while providing the financial oversight necessary for proper investments. Additionally, Byrd will provide the plan to improve healthcare and education metrics that currently prevent businesses from starting, growing and expanding right here in Oklahoma.
Details of the Lt. Governor's Boards & Commissions Responsibilities
Commissioners of the Land Office (School Land Trust): As Auditor, Cindy Byrd has already served alongside the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor for eight years on this board - overseeing a $3 billion sacred land trust ensuring education revenue.
Chairman, Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Commission: Cindy Byrd is the only official to have completed two deep dive audits into the Department of Tourism in the last 5 years, exposing misuse of funds. Those funds could have been used for marketing to keep up with the regional average spent on promoting our state for tourism dollars. Byrd will help develop best practices that, when implemented, will ensure that money results in a better return, higher quality services and offerings, and grow revenue for the state by highlighting our homegrown businesses and talent.
Capital Improvement Authority: The Lt. Governor serves as a member on this board, overseeing multi-billion dollar bond issues for the purpose of infrastructure projects. Byrd's experience in her current role of Auditor—to ensure transparency and compliance with laws regarding the bond issues and subsequent expenditures—gives her firsthand knowledge to cast votes that will protect Oklahomans and provide for the constitutional purpose of infrastructure.
State Board of Equalization: As Auditor, Cindy Byrd has already served alongside the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor for eight years on this board. This board is critical for certifying the amount of money the state is expected to collect in the upcoming fiscal year, and ensuring the State is staying within its expenditure limits. A balanced budget is not only required by the Oklahoma constitution, it is necessary for providing a solvent government for future generations.
Oklahoma Archives and Records Commission: Both Auditor & Lt. Governor officials sit on the five-member commission, which has the "sole, entire and exclusive authority" over the disposition of all public records for state agencies. They work together in the role that is central to enforcing the Oklahoma Open Records Act. While the Lieutenant Governor handles high-level policy, the Auditor ensures the financial "paper trail" remains intact for public inspection.
Oklahoma Film and Music Advisory Commission: The State Auditor is responsible for auditing the expenditure of the public fund from the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021 to ensure the rebates are awarded according to state law and that the economic benefits reported are accurate, and the staff and resources supporting the Lieutenant Governor's advisory commission are managed efficiently, including the verification of Economic Impact: The Lieutenant Governor promotes the film industry’s growth—such as the estimated $65.7 million in 2025—and the State Auditor provides the underlying data verification that ensures these figures are based on sound accounting practices rather than just marketing.
Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board: The purpose of this board is to manage broadband infrastructure projects and direct resources to improve connectivity for underserved and rural communities. As Auditor, Cindy Byrd already produces the federal single audit, which audits and reports compliance with state and federal regulations for projects funded.​
Cindy Byrd's Bottom Line
No one else in the field has done the deep dives into government operations within our state, to be ready on DAY ONE to serve next to the CEO of our state—the Governor—in providing the family and business friendly, low tax, Oklahoman first leadership that Oklahomans deserve.
