Congresswoman Cindy Munson took the stage in the grand auditorium of the Oklahoma City Convention Center as CEOs, bankers, oil executives and other corporate elites cheered on Republican leaders as they discussed tax cuts and private education investments previously. Programs.
The House Public Affairs Forum provides Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate the opportunity to set policy goals for the upcoming legislative session.
Munson, a Democrat from northwest Oklahoma City who was recently elected House Minority Leader, was invited to speak for five minutes.
Besides. Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The focus of the next session is on tax cuts.
The mood was euphoric as the state's business community joined forces to ease business regulations and celebrate the growth of the air and movie industries.
But Munson wanted to change his voice.
“The adults in the room will be House Democrats,” said Munson, who mocked Republicans for passing an abortion ban and attacking Oklahoma's LGBTQ people.
Munson said efforts to grow Oklahoma's economy require more than business-oriented policies or lower taxes. We need more investment in public education, more child care, better health care, and a political climate that welcomes diversity.
"If we ask CEOs to bring their businesses and people to our region, we should take the opportunity for everyone to celebrate," Munson said.
Since Democrats lost control of the state legislature more than two decades ago, party leaders in the House and Senate have consistently opposed Republicans, who control the majority and push many single bills.
Some Democrats are trying to take a more moderate approach to win back rural seats and compete at the state level. Even this year's Democratic gubernatorial candidate downplayed his lifelong Republican affiliation.
Besides. In the upcoming general election in Oklahoma, voters will be asked to legalize marijuana.
But Munson has no plans to chart a moderate course for the caucuses, as minority leadership has indicated in the past and in interviews with The Oklahoman.
“I always talk to our (group) about finding moderate Republicans, but I'm not saying Democrats should give up their values,” Munson told The Oklahoman.
We will work with Republicans on issues we agree with, but we will continue to oppose the extreme policies we know are coming.
Being the leader of the Oklahoma Democratic House can be a lonely job, said Emily Virgin, who has been in the position for four years.
"It can be a bit isolated, like crying in the desert," said Virgin, Norman's former representative for this year's term.
"There's a lot of pressure on the Democrats in Oklahoma, but I think our job is to take care of them."
Munson agrees.
"I was part of a Democratic polity telling me to stay away from these issues," Munson told The Oklahoman, referring to abortion rights, stricter gun laws and protections for LGBTQ Oklahomans. "But it seemed unnatural to me. I think people want honesty. They're ready to talk about these issues."
Besides. Oklahoma lawmakers focus on medical abortion
It's hard to see a way to get the Democrats back to the masses, but Munson believes the party will make big strides in the coming years, especially in cities and suburbs.
This is the roadmap by which he personally lives.
In 2014, Munson lost to the Republican representative in the local 85th district by 13 points.
A year later, when the position fell vacant, Munson won a special election to become the first Asian woman to become a state legislator.
Since then, he has won four more elections, including last month when he won by nearly 20 points.
"Democrats are in northwest Oklahoma City, Edmond, Lawton and Tulsa. It just drives strong campaigns," Munson said.
Besides. "Let's conserve that energy." With the election over, the new Oklahoma state legislators are looking forward to the next session.
House Democrats won a 2022 seat in Tulsa.
The party lost every seat in the state, but won gubernatorial elections in Oklahoma, Tulsa, and Cleveland counties.
Virgin said Munson's campaign experience makes him a seasoned politician.
"Having worked at many companies, Cindy is perfect for this job," Virgin said. "He was on edge and he talked a lot with people who didn't agree with him, but by articulating his position well, he gained consensus."
Besides. Opening ceremonies in Oklahoma are scheduled for next month.
House Speaker Charles McCaul, R-Atoka; Senate Attorney Greg Treat, D-Oklahoma City; and Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, were re-elected to continue as leaders of their respective parties in the state House and Senate.
The 2023 legislative session begins on February 6, 2023.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoma. Cindy Munson on the future of Democrats in Oklahoma
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