Representative Cynthia Roe

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District 42

Hi, I'm Cynthia Roe and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 42nd District.


representative

News & Announcements

Aug 26, 2025
Recent Posts

Roe Appointed to Oklahoma's Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Board

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, has been appointed by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert to serve as the Oklahoma House majority party representative on the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) Board. “I am honored to be appointed by Speaker Hilbert to serve on the SAFE Board,” Roe said. “This is a critical issue in our state, and I will work to ensure survivors are supported and that evidence is handled with the highest standards of care and accountability.” The SAFE Board oversees policy and procedures regarding the collection, testing and storage of sexual assault forensic evidence kits in Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health , an estimated 17% of women and 3% of men nationwide have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. In Oklahoma, the rate of rape and attempted rape reported to law enforcement has been 35-45% higher than the U.S. average for the past decade. “Sexual violence has left lasting scars on far too many Oklahomans,” Roe said. “These statistics show the importance of the SAFE Board’s work. Our job is to make sure the system serves survivors with compassion while providing law enforcement with the tools they need to pursue justice.” Hilbert, R-Bristow, issued the appointment in a formal letter to Roe earlier this month. “I appreciate Representative Roe’s willingness to serve in this capacity,” Hilbert wrote in his letter. “Her leadership and commitment will be valuable to the board and to the people of Oklahoma.” The SAFE Board is a 17-member multidisciplinary body established in state law. Its membership includes two senators, two representatives, the attorney general, law enforcement leaders from state and local agencies, medical professionals, victim advocates and a sexual assault survivor.

Aug 8, 2025
Recent Posts

Roe and Cantrell Selected for National Health Policy Fellowship

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, were selected to join the 2025 class of the Milbank Fellows Program, a national initiative that supports state leaders working to improve health outcomes across the country. The representatives are among just 24 policymakers nationwide chosen for the yearlong fellowship. Both lawmakers serve on House health committees, with Roe as the chair of the Public Health Committee and Cantrell as the vice chair of the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee. Roe brings more than 40 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner, while Cantrell is a former county commissioner with a strong interest in rural health issues. "I'm honored to share that I have been selected to join the 2025 class of the Milbank Fellows Program, a national initiative that brings together leaders from across the country to focus on improving health policy and outcomes," Roe said. "The knowledge and connections I will gain through this fellowship will help inform our efforts to address health disparities, improve access to care and support healthier outcomes for all Oklahomans." "I’m honored to represent Oklahoma and our values as we work through this program to strengthen health and human services across our state," Cantrell said. The Milbank Fellows Program is designed for state leaders in both legislative and executive branches. Fellows receive intensive leadership training, access to national experts and participate in in-depth discussions on population health, evidence-based policy and integrated service systems. The program includes three in-person meetings and ongoing virtual sessions throughout the year.

May 8, 2025
Recent Posts

House Recognizes National Nurses Week

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives this week recognized House Resolution 1028, which honors May 6 through May 12 as National Nurses Week. Authored by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and coauthored by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, the resolution highlights the important role nurses play in delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients across the state and nation. Roe, a longtime nurse and chair of the House Public Health Committee, said she was proud to celebrate Oklahoma nurses on the House floor. “As a veteran nurse and nurse practitioner with more than 40 years of experience, I’m thrilled to celebrate our nurses this week and to honor them on the House floor,” Roe said. “They deserve that recognition and so much more. "I have seen firsthand the vital role nurses play in the health and well-being of our communities. Nurses are not only caregivers and healers, they are the foundation of our healthcare system, supporting everyone from patients in hospitals to students and staff in our schools. "With nearly 5.2 million registered nurses across the nation and more than 77,000 here in our state, their presence is felt in every corner of our lives. They bring new life into the world, mend broken bones and wounded spirits and stand beside us in our most vulnerable moments. Their work is often quiet, but their impact is immeasurable.  "To every nurse, thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you make, for the care you give and for the strength you show. We simply couldn’t do this without you. You are true heroes.” Stark, a former nurse and vice chair of the House Public Health Committee, shared her appreciation for the care nurses show in every setting. “Before I served in the Legislature, I worked in health care, directly supporting patients and families,” Stark said. “As a former nurse, I know the long hours, the tough calls and the quiet moments that define this profession. "Nurses are at the center of patient care. They’re often the first to notice when something’s wrong and the last to leave a patient’s side. Their compassion, clinical skill and steady presence bring hope and healing in life’s most difficult moments. "This resolution is one way we can say thank you—to recognize their devotion and remind them that their work truly matters.”  House Resolution 1028 encourages Oklahomans to join in recognizing National Nurses Week and the life-saving contributions of nurses in every community.