Attack ads are targeting Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates Cyndi Munson and Mike Mazzei, but the records tell a more complicated story.
Attack ads are targeting Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates Cyndi Munson and Mike Mazzei, but the records tell a more complicated story.
Political ads are flooding the airwaves ahead of the midterm elections, and political action committees are making some big claims.
An attack ad by the super PAC "Oklahoma Values" claimed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cyndi Munson voted for taxpayer-funded sex-change surgeries for children.
"What's the worst part of Cyndi Munson's liberal agenda? She wants you to pay for it. Taxpayer-funded sex-change surgeries on kids. Yep, Cyndi voted for it," the ad said.
The ad cited two bills: House Bill 3130 and Senate Bill 613.
IMPORTANT ELECTION INFORMATION: Finding Your Polling Place | Finding Your Sample Ballot | Absentee Ballot Voting | Early Voting | Full List of Races | Meet Candidates Across the State | Who is Mike Mazzei? | Who is Cyndi Munson?
An earlier version of the House bill did not include a provision banning state agencies and public institutions from providing or reimbursing state funds for gender-transition procedures, and Munson voted against that version.
Munson also voted against the Senate Bill that banned gender-transition procedures for minors, including surgeries, puberty-blocking drugs and hormone treatments. But that one did not establish taxpayer funding for those procedures.
"Amnesty and healthcare for illegal immigrants. She's pushing that, too. All paid for by higher taxes. Job-killing taxes," the ad continued.
This claim points to House Bill 4423, which would have created new immigration-status verification and reporting requirements for anyone trying to access Medicaid.
>> Video Below: Meet Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Cyndi Munson
Her no vote on that one appears to be what the ad is referencing as "pushing" healthcare for undocumented immigrants. Lawmakers did not create any new healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants.
The bill passed the House but not the Senate, and it never became law.
"Cyndi Munson repeatedly voted for higher taxes," the ad said.
Two bills, House Bill 2949 from 2024 and House Bill 2764 from 2025, seem to be what the ad is referencing.
The 2024 bill would have reduced Oklahoma's individual income tax rate to 3% if certain revenue conditions were met. Munson voted against it.
A year later, House Bill 2764 also provided for future income tax rate reductions. Munson, again, voted against it.
The ads are using her vote against lowering the state tax rate to say she supports higher taxes.
Attacks are also flying from the other side, targeting Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei.
"Mike Mazzei used to say he was against big deals for foreign companies," the ad said. "Then the endorsement came, and overnight, he became the biggest cheerleader for the $4 billion Inola aluminum smelter. Local ranchers are worried about fluoride emissions and the risk to their land. Mazzei calls it a win."
The attack ad is by the PAC "Okies First," and it starts off talking about Inola.
>> Video Below: Inola City Council imposes temporary ban on aluminum plant construction
During a March 30 debate, Mazzei criticized the incentive package for the smelter , calling it an example of the state "forking over billions of dollars to foreign companies."
On May 29, Mazzei publicly announced on Facebook that he would support the smelter. This came just hours before President Donald Trump endorsed him.
KOCO asked Mazzei about this back in June.
"I think it's incredibly bizarre and absurd for anyone to think that Donald Trump, President Donald Trump, doesn't make his own decisions about who he wants to endorse, and, of course, he's got a special place in his heart for the people of Oklahoma," Mazzei said.
"He also loaned his own campaign more than $11 million and put shares of his business up as collateral. Everyday donor money does not come close to covering it," the ad said.
The amount that he donated to his campaign is actually higher than that. The latest campaign finance filing shows Mazzei's campaign loans total nearly $12.9 million, which includes $1.8 million in new loans from the most recent reporting period.
Public records also show that Mazzei pledged his ownership interests in his financial advisory business as collateral for the bank loan.
>> Video Below: Meet Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei