OKLAHOMA CITY – Here in Oklahoma, the idea of a loud, blusterous campaign season is nothing new. Years ago, Democrats led the charge with Republicans in the back seat during the campaign cycle.
Today, those roles have changed. Republicans call the shots; Democrats play catchup.
Still, even now, most candidates of either party will embrace their incumbent, the current officeholder who is seeking to maintain the status quo.
Not this year.
In one of the stranger events of the 2026 campaign cycle, two former state treasurers – Republican Ken Miller and Democrat Scott Meacham have joined forces to host a fundraiser for a third candidate — who is not the incumbent, Todd Russ.
Instead, Miller and Meacham are hosting a fundraiser for state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd – a Republican who is running against Russ for the GOP nomination for State Treasurer. The fundraiser will be held Tuesday at Miller’s home in Oklahoma City.
Earlier this year, Byrd was expected to seek the lieutenant governor’s post but abruptly switched races on April 3, the candidate filing deadline. Byrd withdrew her lieutenant gubernatorial bid and instead filed to run for State Treasurer against incumbent Todd Russ.
Byrd’s move to the treasurer’s race drew support from Miller.
“My support of Cindy Byrd is professional,” Miller said. “I don’t have anything negative to say about Todd Russ as a person. But I’ve always believed the state treasurer’s job is to invest for safety, liquidity and return—not to advance a political agenda. Taxpayer dollars are green — not red or blue.”
Miller said he was concerned that the Treasurer’s office had become politicized in recent years.
“Cindy Byrd is a proven professional with the credentials and experience to lead the Treasurer’s office, and I’m confident she’ll do so with the kind of dignity, discipline and focus taxpayers deserve,” he said.
Miller wasn’t the only former treasurer who supported Byrd’s campaign for treasurer. Enter Democrat Scott Meacham.
“When I served as treasurer, my guiding principles were simple: protect the state’s money while earning the taxpayers as much as possible. After all, that is why we have a state treasurer,” Meacham said. “I respect Todd Russ personally, but I think we’ve seen him put politics in front of his job of maximizing returns on the taxpayers’ money.
That’s not what the job calls for, and it’s not what taxpayers deserve. Cindy Byrd has spent her career focused on oversight and accountability. She does her job and I believe she’ll bring the kind of steady, professional approach that keeps the state’s finances on solid ground.”
With the GOP primary election just a month away, the possibility of ousting a Republican officeholder during the primary is rare — and unusual in Oklahoma. So far, efforts to contact Russ have proved unsuccessful.
As for Byrd, she said she was ‘deeply grateful for the confidence’ expressed in her leadership and experience.
“Public service is a responsibility I have always approached with professionalism, integrity, and respect for Oklahoma taxpayers,” Byrd said. “I will focus on protecting taxpayer dollars through sound financial management, transparency, safety, liquidity, and strong returns. I appreciate the kind words and support, and I remain committed to serving our state with accountability and professionalism Oklahomans expect and deserve.”
Oklahomans will cast their primary vote on Tuesday, June 16. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.