It looks like Oklahoma Democrats have finally found someone willing to be the sacrificial lamb in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
According to multiple tips via the Ogle Mole Network, State Rep. Cyndi Munson – the hip, cool lawmaker aunt of the urban Oklahoma Democrats – is expected to announce in the near future that she’s entering the Oklahoma governor’s race.
If I were going to pull a Dean Blevins and put odds on it, I’d say there’s a 74.3% chance it happens. If so, you heard it here first. If not, “Satire! Nevermind!”
We don’t have a concrete time frame on when Cyndi will make things official and define her candidacy, but right now it’s probably the second-worst-kept secret in Oklahoma politics—trailing only the outlandish rumors that lice have infested Rep. Nick Archer’s mustache.
Seriously, when did Abner Doubleday join the Oklahoma House of Representatives? It looks like he’s wearing one of Kevin Stitt’s eyebrows! I bet he gets all the ladies at his barbershop quartet after parties.
As House Democratic Leader, Cyndi has steadily climbed the party ranks since first being elected in 2015. The only big blemish on her record is that she's BFFs with Heath Hays – the bare-chested guy from the Dept. of Mental Health who was charged with embezzling money from the agency.
But, let's be honest, if you work in Oklahoma politics and aren't friends with a grifter, you're doing something wrong.
Either way, Cyndi seems to have the alliances, clout, and demographic squad appeal to win a Democratic primary... and then lose in a landslide to whoever the Republican nominee is.
Whether that’s Gentner Drummond, Charles McCall, Ryan Walters, or one of Joe Exotic’s husbands remains to be seen, but let’s be honest: the only way a Democrat has a shot to win a state-wide race in the deep-red swamp of Oklahoma is if we enter some sort of bizarro world where a wealthy third-party candidate upends the system.
For example, imagine if Zach Bryan ran as an independent. Not only would Kevin Stitt, and every woman in rural and suburban Oklahoma vote for him, but they’d also make their boyfriends do it, too!
Outside of Cyndi, the only other Democratic names floating around the Ogle Mole rumor mill are Jena Nelson, Kendra Horn, and Jenni Carlson.
Jena – a former Oklahoma “Teacher of the Year” – ran against Ryan Walters for State Superintendent in 2022 and, in a testament to Oklahoma’s mind-numbingly partisan electorate, somehow lost.
I’ve heard she’s not running for Governor, but based on her BlueSky account, I could definitely see her challenging Stephanie Bice for Congress. She's a swell gal, and I wish her the best, primarily so we get more fireside self-help videos like this:
Former U.S. Congresswoman Kendra Horn – or maybe it’s Madison? – is another name being tossed around.
That’s not a surprise.
Kendra has officially replaced Dan Boren as the Last Democrat Who Won a Statewide or Federal Election of Any Consequence™ in Oklahoma, so her name pops up a lot in these conversations.
That said, I’d be surprised if she ran fro anything. First, she’s already played the sacrificial lamb role for Democrats when she ran for U.S. Senate. Second, she lives in Denver, Colorado!
Just kidding. I think.
Finally, I’m hearing unconfirmed reports that Jenni Carlson is mulling a run for Governor.
According to my Moles, internal polling shows she has the highest name recognition of any potential candidate from either party. She also scores big with older voters who still subscribe to the newspaper. Since those are the same people who vote, she could swing an upset. In fact, I’ve heard she’s already hired high-dollar Oklahoma political consultant Fount Holland to develop a campaign strategy, so it could be a really big shake-up.
In other news, I’m totally making up all the stuff about Jenni. You didn’t think I’d bury the lede that much, did you? Also, if you’re Fount Holland, please don’t sue me for damaging your reputation! I'm a sovereign citizen, and your laws have no sway over me!
Anyway, whether it’s Cyndi, Jena, Kendra, or Jenni – or just some rogue Republican that David Walters convinces to switch sides – we wish all of them the best of luck, and look forward to covering the campaign every step of the way.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
