SurveyUSA: Dems Gain Corp Comm Ground

From SurveyUSA For KFOR-TV ~ Democratic candidates for Oklahoma Corporation Commission seats have gained ground over the past three weeks.

In an election for a full-term seat on the Commission today, 09/30/08, Incumbent Republican Jeff Cloud edges Democrat Charles Gray 47% to 44%, according to this exclusive KFOR-TV poll conducted by SurveyUSA. Three weeks ago, Cloud led Gray by 15 points; today, Gray has gained 7 points; Cloud has lost 5 points and now leads by 3.

Among men, Cloud had led by 17, now leads by 3. Among women, Cloud had led by 13, now leads by 3. Among voters age 18 to 49, Cloud had led by 7, now trails by 5. Among voters 50+, Cloud's lead has been cut in half, from 22 points to 11 points. Cloud, first elected to the Commission in 2002, leads by 9 points today in Western Oklahoma, down slightly from a 13-point lead three weeks ago. In Eastern Oklahoma, the race has flipped: Cloud had led by 17, now trails by 4.

In the race for a short-term, two year term on the Commission, Republican Dana Murphy defeats Democratic incumbent Jim Roth 50% to 41%. Compared to three weeks ago, Roth is up 5 points; Murphy is down 4. Murphy, a geologist and attorney, leads by 9 points among men and by 10 among women. Among voters age 18 to 49, Murphy leads by 4 points; among voters age 50+, Murphy leads by 14. 28% of Democrats cross over to vote for the Republican Murphy.

Roth was appointed by Democratic Governor Brad Henry to fill a vacancy on the Commission in June of 2007; Republican Denise Bode, elected to her second full term in the office in 2004, resigned her seat. The winner of the short-term commission seat will serve the remaining two years of Bode's term.

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Poll: Murphy, Cloud Have Substantial Leads

SurveyUSA, polling for KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, reports that Republicans Dana Murphy and Jeff Cloud have substantial leads over their Democratic Corporation Commission opponents.

Most surprising is the 54-36 percent lead reported for Murphy over incumbent Commissioner Jim Roth, appointed to the post by Governor Brad Henry when Republican Denise Bode resigned.

Cloud is shown with a 52-37 percent lead over Democrat Charles Gray, former House member.

Here's the analysis from SurveyUSA: Republicans Lead in Both Oklahoma Corporation Commission Contests: In elections for full and short-term seats on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission held today, 09/09/08, Incumbent Republican Jeff Cloud and Republican challenger Dana Murphy both lead their Democratic opponents by double digits, according to this exclusive KFOR-TV poll conducted by SurveyUSA.

In the race for a full six year term on the Commission, incumbent Republican Jeff Cloud defeats Democrat Charles Gray 52% to 37%. Cloud, first elected in 2002, leads by 17 points among men and by 13 points among women. Among voters age 18 to 49, Cloud leads by 7. Among voters age 50+, Cloud leads by 22. 1 in 4 Democrats cross over to vote for Republican Cloud. Independents are disproportionately undecided.

In the race for a short-term, two year term on the Commission, Republican Dana Murphy defeats Democratic incumbent Jim Roth 54% to 36%. Murphy, a geologist and attorney, leads by 17 points among men and by 19 among women. Among voters age 18 to 49, Murphy leads by 13 points; among voters age 50+, Murphy leads by 23. 30% of Democrats cross over to vote for the Republican Murphy. Independents are disproportionately undecided.

Roth was appointed by Democratic Governor Brad Henry to fill a vacancy on the Commission in June of 2007; Republican Denise Bode, elected to her second full term in the office in 2004, resigned her seat. The winner of the short-term commission seat will serve the remaining two years of Bode's term.

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Roth On Fundraising Roll, Report Shows

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth raised more than $500,000 for his election campaign in the second quarter. That put him far ahead of his two Republican opponents, Ethics Commission reports show.

Roth, a Democrat, was appointed to fill the unexpired two years of Denise Bode's term when she resigned.

His reports show he has raised a total of about $790,000, including $537,193 from April 1 to July 14.

He reported he's spent $115,000 in the last three months and has total expenditures of $181,000. That leaves him with $589,000 cash on hand.

State Rep. Rob Johnson and Dana Murphy, a former administrative law judge, seek the Republican nomination.

Johnson reported he raised more than $116,000 during the last quarter and a total of nearly $225,000 for his campaign. He reported he's spent about $222,000 over the last three months, including $143,000 on television advertising. He has about $146,000 cash on hand.

Murphy reported she raised about $108,000, including a $10,000 personal loan, bringing her total amount raised to $257,000. Murphy also reported receiving $2,500 in last-minute contributions that came in after the reporting deadline. Murphy reported she's spent $196,000 since April 1, including about $170,000 on television and radio advertising. She reported spending nearly $210,000 total on her campaign, leaving her with about $35,000 cash on hand.

Another seat on the Corporation Commission, currently held by Republican Jeff Cloud, also is up for re-election for a full six-year term. Cloud will face Democratic challenger Charles Gray, a former state House member, in the general election in November. Neither candidate drew a primary opponent.

Cloud reported he's raised about $287,000 since April 1. He reported transferring only $2,700 from his previous House campaign. He also reported spending almost $50,000 on campaign activity, leaving him with about $240,000 cash on hand.

Gray's contributions and expenditure report has not yet been posted on the Ethics Commission's site.

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Gray Files For Cloud's Commission Seat

Former State Rep. Charles Gray, Oklahoma City Democrat, filed today for the Corporation Commission seat now held by Republican Jeff Cloud.

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Who Will Replace Bode? Regan At Top Of List?

Who will Governor Brad Henry name to replace Republican Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, who has resigned effective May 31st?

Lots of names are being mentioned and the one at the top of the list appears to be Peter Regan, an attorney and former chief of staff for Congressman Dan Boren. A member of the law firm Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison & Lewis, Regan unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor last year. He lost the runoff to Lt. Governor Jari Askins.

Others being mentioned include former State Treasurer Robert Butkin, former Commissioner Cody Graves, former State Rep. Charles Gray and Oklahoma County Commissioner Jim Roth.

Graves held the commission seat until he resigned 10 years ago, paving the way for then-Governor Frank Keating to name Bode to the seat. Last year, Graves sought to unseat incumbent Commissioner Bob Anthony, but lost in an Anthony runaway, getting less than 42 percent of the vote.

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