By Traci Chapman
Published on July 24, 2008

As oil prices continue to break records and residents struggle with rising fuel costs, the contest between two Republicans for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has garnered some serious attention.

Former administrative law judge Dana Murphy and Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher, will square off in the July 29 primary, vying for the two years remaining in former Commissioner Denise Bode’s term. Bode vacated the position to take a job with a private foundation last year; the victor in the primary will face Democrat Jim Roth in the November general election.

Gov. Brad Henry appointed Roth to the interim post in June 2007. He did not draw any opponents on the Democratic side of the table.

Roth was formerly an Oklahoma County Commissioner, first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He said he was the first commissioner to be re-elected in Oklahoma County in more than a decade. Before that, he was a chief deputy and attorney to the Oklahoma County Clerk. He is an attorney and certified mediator.

Created in 1907 to “regulate public service corporations,” the commission — led by its three elected commissioners — are the “managers of Oklahoma’s fuel franchise,” charged with regulating public utilities, oil and gas drilling, production and environment protection, safety aspects of certain transportation and the “environmental integrity” of petroleum storage tank systems.

Commissioners are elected by statewide vote to serve six-year terms. Terms are staggered so one vacancy is on the ballot every two years.

While many of the duties of the commission might seem obscure to voters, Murphy said commissioners touch the lives of residents every day.

“Every time we flip a light switch, adjust the thermostat, and pump fuel into our cars, we have been affected by the corporation commission,” she said.

Murphy is an Edmond attorney specializing in title, regulatory issues and oil and gas litigation. She said she served as an administrative law judge for the commission for six years. She made an unsuccessful run for commissioner in 2002 and said she won more than 41 percent of the vote. This time, she said, she hopes to “make it all the way.”

Murphy said she knows the commission “inside out,” having worked for the commission and in dealing with it as an attorney.

The post, Murphy said, is crucial not only to the state but also to residents. Commissioners are responsible for an agency that regulates 75- to 80-percent of state commerce.

“We have a lot of issues on an individual level, as well,” she said. “With energy costs chewing a hole through residents’ pocketbooks like never before, we must development resources in new and different ways to provide affordable power.”

A fifth generation Oklahoman, Murphy is a native of Woodward. She graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1983 with a degree in geology. After working for 10 years as a geologist, she said she earned her law degree from Oklahoma City University in 1993.

Johnson said he had “the most diverse and well-rounded experience” of any of the candidates, including Roth. Johnson cited his state legislative resume, as well as his experience as a congressional aide.

Johnson was elected to the Legislature in 2004; he has served as a majority whip and on several committees, including energy and technology. Before his election, he was an attorney in Kingfisher.

“Historically, the commission and Legislature have butted heads on a lot of issues, and a lot of that is over power and who has the authority. Commission members need to work closely to establish energy policies that promote the state, build energy infrastructure and protects the consumers, and they need to do that with lawmakers,” he said. “I’ve got the relationships here and I know the process. I bring both government and real-world experience.”

Murphy and Johnson agreed the state needs to explore alternative power sources.
“You don’t go out and buy all of one type of stock. You buy diversification, and I think that applies to the energy side as well,” Murphy said.

“I think we’ve gotten a decent start, but I don’t think we’re doing enough,” Johnson said.

Another commissioner race, for a full six-year term, will be decided in the general election, when incumbent Republican commissioner Jeff Cloud faces Charles Gray (D-Oklahoma City).