Just before the curtain closed Friday on candidate filing, a few surprises emerged in Oklahoma.

State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, a Republican, filed for state treasurer, despite announcing in January that she was running for lieutenant governor.

Oklahoma’s Chief Operating Officer David Ostrowe filed for lieutenant governor.

And House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, who is seeking to become the state’s next governor, will face a Democratic primary challenge from former State Senator Connie Johnson.

Byrd’s switch

It was unclear Monday what prompted Byrd to abandon her bid to become the next lieutenant governor.

Former House Speaker T.W. Shannon announced recently that President Donald Trump had endorsed him for the role, but it wasn’t clear if that had an impact on Byrd’s decision to switch races.

She did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Byrd, who is term-limited in her current post, will face Republican incumbent Todd Russ in the primary.

The winner of the June 16 Republican primary will face Libertarian Kiefer Perry in November’s general election.

Ostrowe enters race

Ostrowe, who was recently tapped to serve as Governor Kevin Stitt’s chief operating officer, joins a crowded field of six Republicans and one Democrat vying to become Oklahoma’s next lieutenant governor.

Incumbent Matt Pinnell is term-limited and cannot run again.   

“It had been on the radar for a long time,” Ostrowe said.

Ostrowe previously served as Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Digital Transformation and Administration.

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Kelly Forbes in November.

Oklahoma has a new state auditor

Only one person filed to run as Oklahoma’s state auditor and inspector. 

As a result, Deputy State Auditor Melissa Capps, 52, a Republican, automatically wins without having to face an election.

Capps, of McLoud, could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.

She will head the state agency responsible for auditing public funds to ensure there is no mismanagement.

While it is unusual for only one person to file for a statewide office, it is not unprecedented. In 2014, State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones, a Republican, was the sole filer for that post.

Democratic gubernatorial primary

For Connie Johnson, her latest bid for governor marks the fourth time she’s sought statewide office. She’s made two prior failed bids for governor and one for the U.S. Senate.

Other Democrats in the race are Munson and Arya Azma, who made a failed bid for U.S. Senate in 2022.

Nine Republicans filed for governor, including Charles McCall, Mike Mazzei, Leisa Mitchell Haynes, Gentner Drummond, Kenneth Sturgell, Jennifer Domenico, Chip Keating, Calup Anthony Taylor and Jake Merrick.

The winners of the Democratic and Republican primary elections will face independent candidates Jerry Griffin, Robert E. Brooks Sr. and Orlando Lynn Bush in the general election.

District attorneys

Nineteen incumbent district attorneys drew no challenger, including Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna.

Four district attorney offices had one filer and the incumbent did not seek reelection. 

Four incumbents drew challengers, including Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler.