By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
For the first time in a long time, two of the three seats on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are up for election. And two candidates in a primary battle are willing to give up their current jobs or positions to gain a seat.
Republicans Rob Johnson and Dana Murphy will square off in the July 29 primary election for a short-term corporation commissioner. The winner of that race will face Democrat incumbent Jim Roth, of Oklahoma City.
Roth holds the seat vacated by Denise Bode, who resigned in June 2007. Roth was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry to fill her term until 2009; the seat’s term expires in 2011.
Democrat Charles Gray and Republican incumbent Jeff Cloud, both of Oklahoma City, will race for the full-term seat in the November general election. Commissioners serve six-year terms.
“I can’t remember the last time this has happened,” said Matt Skinner, spokesman for the commission.
The commission regulates public service corporations whose services are considered essential to public welfare. It monitors utility companies, oil and gas conservation, pipelines, and some transportation matters.
Johnson, 34, is a state representative and majority whip for District 59. He is a lawyer in private practice from Kingfisher and part-owner of a car dealership in Kingfisher.
He has a bachelor of science degree in political science from Oklahoma State University and a law degree from Oklahoma University. He has represented District 59 in the House for four years.
If elected, Johnson said he would work with the Legislature to develop a long-range plan for energy-producing resources and to develop alternative sources of energy. The plan was something he tried to accomplish as a legislator, he said.
“We have the potential to be a much larger energy exporter,” Johnson said. “I think Oklahoma has the potential to be a power-producing leader in the country. But we need a plan, and we don’t have that now.”
Johnson cites his experience in the state as why he should be elected.
“It’s important to have someone who is a proactive thinker, who can look out for the entire state,” Johnson said. “We need to move forward and make energy more affordable.”
Murphy, 48, is a lawyer who specializes in oil and gas titling, transactional and regulatory work. The Edmond resident was an administrative law judge for the commission from 1995 to 2001, when she left to start her private practice.
She has a bachelor of science in geology from Oklahoma State University and a law degree from Oklahoma City University.
If elected, Murphy said she would work to make sure Oklahomans have affordable, reliable power.
“The real role of a commissioner is to be a watchdog for all Oklahomans,” Murphy said. “We need to make sure what corporations propose is fair to customers and also giving a reasonable rate of return to those businesses.”
Murphy also cites her experience as why she should be elected. She said she is willing to give up a career in a field that is seeing unprecedented activity in order to serve.
“I have a background in both rural and urban issues, and I’m ready to hit the ground running,” Murphy said. “I think of myself as a committed Oklahoman. That’s the reason I’m willing to give up a business at the most lucrative time in the oil business.”
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Two seats up for grabs on Oklahoma commission
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