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.

Republicans Rob Johnson and Dana Murphy will square off Tuesday for a short-term seat on the state commission. The winner of that race will face Democrat incumbent Jim Roth, of Oklahoma City, in November.

Roth holds the seat vacated by Denise Bode, who resigned in June 2007. Roth was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry to fill Bode’s term until 2009; the seat’s term expires in 2011.

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.

n Johnson, 34, is a state representative and majority whip from the 59th District. He is a lawyer in private practice in 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.

n 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 1995-2001, when she left to start her private practice.

She has a bachelor of science degree in geology from Oklahoma State University and a law degree from Oklahoma City University.

Democrat Charles Gray and Republican incumbent Jeff Cloud, both of Oklahoma City, will compete for the full-term seat in the November general election. Commissioners serve six-year terms.