Rep. Cyndi Munson stood middle stage inside the grand ballroom of the Oklahoma City Convention Center, dealing with a crowd of CEOs, bankers, oil executives and different company elites, who moments earlier have been applauding Republican leaders as they mentioned tax cuts and investments in non-public education schemes.
It was the State Chamber’s annual public affairs discussion board when the Republican and Democratic leaders of the state House and Senate are provided an opportunity to current their coverage targets for the upcoming legislative session.
As the newly elected House minority chief, Munson, a Democrat from northwest Oklahoma City, was invited to provide a five-minute tackle.
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The temper was festive as the state’s enterprise group celebrated progress in the aerospace and movie industries, whereas additionally rallying round efforts to reduce enterprise laws.
But Munson wished to vary the tone.
“House Democrats will continue to be the adults in the room,” stated Munson, who rebuked Republicans for passing abortion bans and attacking LGBTQ Oklahomans.
A critical try to develop the economic system in Oklahoma required extra than simply pro-business insurance policies or decrease taxes, Munson stated. It wants stronger investments in public training, elevated youngster care choices, higher well being care and a political local weather that welcomes variety.
“If we are going to ask CEOs to bring their businesses and employees to our state, we have to embrace the ability to celebrate all people,” Munson stated.
Since Democrats misplaced management of the state Legislature almost twenty years in the past, the get together’s leaders in the House and Senate have introduced constant vocal opposition to Republicans, who maintain supermajorities and might advance most payments on their very own.
Some in the Democratic Party have pushed for a reasonable method in an effort to win again rural seats and compete at a statewide stage. Even the Democratic nominee for governor this 12 months was a lifelong Republican who downplayed partisanship.
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But Munson doesn’t plan to deploy a reasonable path for her caucus, in response to her early tenure as minority chief and an interview with The Oklahoman.
“I talk to our (caucus) about appealing to moderate Republicans all the time, but I’m not saying that Democrats should step away from their values,” Munson informed The Oklahoman.
“We are going to work with the Republicans on the things that we agree on, but we will continue to stand up against the extremist policies that we know are coming.”
Democrats’ lone vibrant spot this election was in city seats
In Oklahoma, the Demcoratic chief of the House generally is a lonely job, stated Emily Virgin, who held the place for 4 years.
“It can be a little isolating, like shouting in the wilderness,” stated Virgin, a former consultant from Norman who reached time period limits this 12 months.
“There is a lot of pressure on Democrats in Oklahoma to maybe avoid the hot-button issues, but I think our job is to draw attention to them.”
Munson agrees.
“I had people who were part of Demcoratic politics in the past who told me to stay away from these issues,” Munson informed The Oklahoman, referring to abortion rights, harder gun legal guidelines and protections for LGBTQ Oklahomans. “But that felt unnatural to me. I think what people want is honesty. They are willing to have conversations on these topics.”
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A path again to the majority for Democrats will be tough to see, however Munson believes the get together could make features in the coming years, particularly in extra city and suburban seats.
It’s a roadmap she’s skilled firsthand.
In 2014, Munson misplaced by 13 factors to a Republican incumbent in House District 85.
A 12 months later, when the seat turned open, Munson received a particular election, turning into the first Asian American girl elected to the state Legislature.
Since then she has won four more elections, together with final month, when she received by almost 20 factors.
“Democrats do exist in northwest Oklahoma City, Edmond, Lawton and Tulsa; it’s just a matter of running strong campaigns there,” Munson stated.
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House Democrats gained one seat in the 2022 election after flipping a Tulsa seat.
The get together misplaced each statewide seat however received Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland counties in the governor’s race.
Virgin stated Munson’s expertise on the marketing campaign path makes her a battle-tested politician.
“Cyndi, by going through so many campaigns, is very well suited for this job,” Virgin stated. “She has been on the doorsteps and has had a ton of conversations with people who don’t necessarily agree with her, but she finds common ground while also articulating her positions well.”
More:Oklahoma inaugural occasions scheduled for subsequent month
House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka; Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City; and Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, have been all reelected to stay as their get together leaders in the state House and Senate.
The 2023 legislative session begins on Feb. 6, 2023.
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