Murphy Names Williams, Rodely To Staff

Corporation Commissioner-elect Dana Murphy today named attorney Teryl Williams and veteran journalist Billie Rodely (pictured) as her top assistants.

Williams currently works at the Commission as a senior staff attorney handling public utility cases. Her prior experience includes administrative labor and employment law, civil litigation and criminal law.

Rodely, who has been Congresswoman Mary Fallin's communications director, is a former KTOK news anchor and former "State Line" program executive at the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority. She's a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.

"Both of these dedicated, qualified individuals have experience with the Commission, are familiar with the issues and are prepared to hit the ground running," Murphy said.

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Dana Murphy Upsets Jim Roth 52-48%

Republican Dana Murphy took Democrat Jim Roth out of his Corporation Commission seat in Tuesday's voting in an upset over the favored Brad Henry appointee whom most polls had shown leading the race by substantial margins.

With almost all precincts reporting, Murphy had a 52-48 percent lead that grew during the night as rural counties reported vote totals. Murphy's lead in the race developed with about a sixth of the precincts reporting. It grew slowly and with almost all precincts reporting, stood at about 61,000 votes.

Most observers expected Roth to carry Tulsa County while Murphy would carry Oklahoma County. It turned out just the opposite; Roth carried Oklahoma County, which he previously served as a county commissioner, 143,000 to 128,302 votes. In Tulsa County, however, Murphy won 105,608 to 93,600 for Roth.

Murphy built her winning margin, for the most part, in rural Oklahoma. She carried many small counties by margins of 200 to 1,000 votes and notched bigger wins in some traditional GOP counties, including Garfield and Washington.

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Can Jim Roth Pull It Off?

Can Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth go into the Oklahoma political history books as the first openly-gay candidate to win statewide office when the votes are counted tomorrow?

An Analysis

Roth's historic campaign has made him the darling of homosexual activist groups across the nation. They have showered him with campaign donations and urged their Oklahoma members to work in his campaign.

Thus far, on the surface, Roth's lifestyle has been a non-issue. Beneath the surface, however, it is very much an issue, particularly in rural Oklahoma. Conversations with Republicans and Democrats alike in rural counties indicate Roth likely won't run well in many of them, although some believe the vote in their counties will be close between Roth and his Republican challenger, Dana Murphy.

Polls indicate Roth is weaker in rural areas than in the state's two large metropolitan areas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The 1st Congressional District, which includes Tulsa, appears his strongest area in most polls. They give him a lead there, while Oklahoma County is close. Roth may benefit from a Democrat surge in the Tulsa area; the polls also show that area to be Barack Obama's strongest spot in the state and Democrat U. S. Senate candidate Andrew Rice also appears to be running well there, although incumbent Senator Jim Inhofe has a massive, 36 percent lead in rural Oklahoma based on the latest "Oklahoma Poll" conducted by Sooner Poll.

If Roth manages to win Tulsa County and rural areas go to Murphy by narrow margins, Oklahoma County could well decide the outcome of the race and Murphy needs a huge turnout in her favor, it appears. The latest "Oklahoma Poll" shows Roth with a 12 percent lead statewide. The new TvPoll for KWTV shows Rice at 49.8 percent, Murphy at 35.3 percent. She leads in western Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City metro area. Roth has leads elsewhere, but the poll numbers are close, several within the poll's margin of error.

The latest SurveyUSA poll, however, makes it just a 3-point race, edge to Roth at 49-46 percent, and the battle in rural areas appears to be a dead heat. If Murphy manages to roll up margins in rural areas, Roth's path to victory gets cloudy.

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Murphy: Deer Creek Tree Farm Deal Shows Jim Roth 'Nothing more than a lapdog'

Corporation Commission candidate Dana Murphy says last night's FOX 25 news report by Nick Winkler shows Jim Roth to be nothing more than a lapdog for special interest groups. The story focused on the Deer Creek Tree Farm owned by Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp. in Arcadia and Roth's push to resurface the road leading to it and building a new bridge on the road. Details about the projects were first reported by The McCarville Report Online on October 6th. (Read the story at http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/10/roth-sponsored-roadway-bridge-to.html.)

"Jim Roth's ties to special interest groups have been questioned for a long time. Last night's FOX report just confirms what many know, Roth gets from those special interest groups and gives plenty in return.

"Based on this latest news story about Roth's questionable behavior, it's hard to believe he's the one claiming superior ethics to me," continued Murphy. "This is just another example of Roth serving as a lapdog to those who shower him with money and political favors. Roth is a desperate man because he knows he is unqualified for this job. He gets ahead by providing political favors for his supporters - much like Jeff McMahan. It's time to put an end to that type of politics in Oklahoma."

Murphy says it's no surprise Roth refused to talk to Fox Reporter Nick Winkler. "Roth never answers questions about his own character and ethics. He refused to answer my questions on 'Flash Point,' ran away from an OU student asking questions after a recent debate, and he's always running away, refusing to answer the tough questions about his own ethics. The most important question he has dodged this entire campaign is why is he getting tens of thousands of dollars in contributions from out of state donors? Why do people who do no business in Oklahoma and who have probably never been to Oklahoma care about your utility rates or gasoline pumps being accurate or any other issues the Commission regulates? Oklahoma voters should demand an answer."

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Murphy, Roth Clash On 'Flash Point'

Republican Dana Murphy and Democrat Jim Roth raked each other over the campaign coals in a Sunday morning appearance on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show.

The candidates for the short term on the Corporation Commission are in what polls show is a tight race for the seat now held by Roth, appointed by Governor Henry when Republican Denise Bode resigned.

Co-host Mike Turpen, Democrat, asked Roth about his charges that Murphy forged a family member's signature on an oil and gas lease during a divorce proceeding years ago. Roth produced documents and said "every Republican opponent" Murphy has had has brought up the matter.

Roth said the "bar for ethics...must be high" and suggested Murphy doesn't meet the test.

Murphy responded that the issue "really...is whether I had permission" to sign the document. She says she did, and there was no intent to defraud anyone.

Murphy countered that Roth is using his Commission assistant to work in his campaign. She also cited Roth's DUI arrest in 1995 as an example of events in the past.

Roth countered with yet another allegation, saying Murphy has taken discounted rent from an entity regulated by the Commission. Murphy said the office she rented from Ralph Harvey of Marlin Oil Company didn't work out because of access limitations and she rented another office as her campaign headquarters.

"My ethics are impeccable," Roth asserted. Questions about Roth's ethics arose when he voted in opposition to a coal-power plant that was opposed by Roth's campaign co-chairman, top fundraiser and maximum donor Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp. As Oklahoma County commissioner, Roth spearheaded the rebuilding of a roadway and a new bridge to the Deer Creek Tree Farm in Arcadia, owned by McClendon. McClendon was a maximum donor to Roth's commission campaign.

Murphy noted that Roth has not addressed questions about his ethics and noted he's had to return some donations to his campaign because of ethics laws. Inexplicably, she did not mention Roth's alliance with McClendon or question his vote on the coal-power plant.

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Murphy, Roth Face Off On 'Flash Point'

Corporation Commission candidates Dana Murphy and Jim Roth face off in this Sunday's edition of "Flash Point" on KFOR-Channel 4. The show, which airs at 9:30 a.m., was taped earlier this week.

The two are locked in what a recent poll shows is a tight race for the short-term commission seat now held by Democrat Roth, appointed by Governor Henry when Republican Denise Bode resigned to head the Clean Skies Foundation in Washington.

Murphy, a former administrative law judge, and Roth, former Oklahoma County commissioner, have battled this week over Roth's allegations about Murphy.

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Murphy Rips Roth On Red Rock Vote, Questions McClendon Tree Farm Road/Bridge Projects

Republican Corporation Commission candidate Dana Murphy responded to mudslinging by her opponent Jim Roth today by questioning Roth's ethics and his alliance with Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Murphy said that Roth's attempt to smear her name with accusations from a 15 year old divorce is nothing but "good ole' boy politics at its worst." That accusation came in a Roth television commercial this week.

Murphy says the smear "is being done with hundreds of thousands dollars of campaign contributions from his special interest friends inside and outside the state.

"As a career bureaucrat, he has relied on his powerful, special interest friends to get where he is today," said Murphy. "He's panicked because he won't be able to deliver more favors for powerful friends if he is not elected to the job that was given to him.

"Unlike everyday Oklahomans like me who have earned their way by hard work and persistence working in the real world, he has made his living by delivering favors to his powerful friends using tax dollars while a public official.

"My opponent is using this personal attack mudslinging to divert voters' attention from the issues and who's most qualified to serve on the Commission. As a geologist, energy attorney and former Commission administrative law judge, I have the education and real world experience to be the best Corporation Commissioner. He's reverted to good old boy mudslinging in the hopes people will forget he has no qualifications for office and that he's been acting like a lapdog for special interest groups since he was handed the job of Corporation Commissioner."

Murphy says Oklahomans should demand answers from Roth about his ties to those donating to his campaigns for public office: "He's taken tens of thousands of dollars from officers and CEOs from the largest public utilities in Oklahoma who have regularly had cases in front of him. What are they paying for?

"He's received over $100,000 in contributions that come from those at one large natural gas company. Didn't the same company oppose the coal fired plant that Roth voted against, one that would have saved Oklahoma consumers billions of dollars? Why did Mr. Roth, as a sitting Corporation Commissioner, take campaign contributions during a time when Oklahoma law expressly forbids sitting Commissioners from taking contributions? Why as a County Commissioner did he sponsor the building of a road and bridge that runs to the tree farm of one of his campaign chairmen? Do Oklahomans really want to elect a lapdog for the special interests or do they want an everyday Oklahoman just like them to stand up as a watchdog, someone who is not afraid to stand up to the powerful special interests?"

Here is the text of Murphy's prepared opening statement for today's news conference:

Jim Roth is a desperate, frightened man. As almost half of Oklahomans know, divorce is an ugly, horrible thing and sadly, it brings out the absolute worst in people. My opponent is bringing up allegations against me from a 15 year old divorce case because he cannot match my qualifications for this job.

Let’s set the record straight once and for all. I have never been charged with or convicted of forgery or any other crime. Period.

These last minute smear tactics are reminiscent of the schoolyard bully ambushing kids on the playground.

The people of Oklahoma deserve better.

This smear campaign is costing big bucks.

The real question here is where are the hundreds of thousands of dollars coming from that are being used to smear me? From campaign contributions by powerful special interest groups outside and inside the State who want their lapdog at the Commission looking out for their interests, not the interests of all Oklahomans.

Roth has proven to be that lap dog.

Roth is panicked because this is the best job that he has ever had. He has no place else to go. When he loses this election, it will only be a matter of time before he has a job with one of those special interest groups contributing the big bucks to support his campaign.

It is not a coincidence that Jim Roth has as his campaign chair, a man who received amazing benefits as a result of his contributions.

First, the Red Rock Power Plant decision. That was a done deal as soon as Roth was appointed to the OCC.

Second, when a tree farm (owned by Aubrey McClendon in Arcadia) needed a road and a bridge, it was Roth who made sure it was paid for by taxpayers.

The list of favors for special interests goes on and on.

I have the education, the experience and the qualifications earned during a 15-year career in the oil and gas industry and almost six years as a Law Judge at the Corporation Commission.

I have forgotten more about the oil and gas industry than he will ever know and Jim Roth knows it. His special interest supporters know it too and they are scared to death.

My only special interest group is everyday Oklahomans who need a watchdog on the Commission, not a lapdog.

There are 12 days left in this election, I have run a clean campaign focused on the issues and my qualifications for office.

I see no reason to change that strategy.

If Mr. Roth wants to run a dirty campaign, wallow in the mud and sling it – that’s his choice.

Mr. Roth’s mudslinging has given Oklahomans a clearcut choice as to who they want for Corporation Commissioner.

They can have someone like him, a mudslinging bureaucratic lapdog or they can have me, someone who shares their conservative Oklahoma values and has the experience and qualifications to do the best job for all Oklahomans at the Corporation Commission."

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Dana Murphy Schedules News Conference

Dana Murphy, Republican candidate for the Corporation Commission, will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. today at the State Capitol Building in the first floor Rotunda, her campaign has announced.

"Murphy will respond to false allegations made by her opponent in recent TV advertisements," the announcement said.

Whether Murphy will discuss a vote by incumbent Democrat Jim Roth in opposition to a coal-powered plant his campaign co-chairman, top fundraiser and maximum donor Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp. opposed is not known.

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Roth's Campaign Materials In State Office

Why does Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth keep campaign materials in his state office?

The question comes as Republican State Chairman Gary Jones rips Roth for passing out a business card with information about Roth's campaign on it.

Jones says he sent a party staffer to Roth's Corporation Commission office to see what cards Roth was handing out at his state office.

State ethics rules forbid distributing campaign materials in a state building.

Roth spokesman Mike Fina says the incident was a mistake when a receptionist picked up the wrong stack of cards after a visitor asked for Roth's business card; Fina did not explain why campaign materials were in Roth's state office.

Roth faces Republican Dana Murphy in the Nov. 4 election.

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Roth's Ethics: Will Murphy Take The Gloves Off?

With Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth having raised the issue of ethics in his campaign against Republican Dana Murphy, some of Murphy's backers are urging her to throw the ethics question back at Democrat Roth because of his vote against a coal-powered plant opposed by his campaign co-chairman, top fundraiser and maximum donor Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp.

"She's got the issue," said one frustrated GOP official. "It's documented...the close relationship between Roth and McClendon and it goes back to Roth's campaigns for Oklahoma County commissioner and includes that road and bridge project Roth did for McClendon that you've outlined. I can't imagine why Murphy hasn't raised the issue...she's probably waited too late now."

Following the recent disclosures about Roth's alliance with McClendon, some asked why he didn't abstain from voting on the coal-powered plant sought by several utility companies. Roth refused to discuss the issue with a reporter for KTOK at the time, has not returned calls from The McCarville Report Online and has remained silent since.

"If the roles were reversed," fumed another GOP leader, "and Murphy was the one who taken money from McClendon, built him a road and bridge to benefit his business, made him her campaign co-chairman and then voted his way on a project that would have cost him and his company money, the media would be all over it and they'd be screaming about the lack of ethics. Why the hell they're protecting Roth is beyond me, unless it's because he's a Democrat."

Like Murphy, Republican State Chairman Gary Jones has been silent on the Roth-McClendon connection and Roth's vote on the coal-powered plant.

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Roth Throws Mud In Corp Comm Race

The Associated Press ~ A tough race for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has turned nasty, with incumbent Jim Roth accusing his opponent in a television advertisement of underhanded financial dealings with her own family.

[The charge stems from an unsubstantiated allegation made during a contentious divorce action 16 years ago.

[Roth's mud-slinging comes despite poll numbers this week that show him slightly ahead of Republican Dana Murphy after a barrage of positive commercials on his behalf.

[Murphy's campaign thus far has not engaged in negative campaigning, despite what some believe is a ready-made and current issue, Roth's apparent conflict of interest in voting against a coal-powered plant opposed by his campaign co-chairman, fundraiser and maximum donor Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp. Thus far, Murphy has not so much as mentioned the connection between the two despite being urged to point it out.]

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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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Chesapeake Employees Flood Roth With Cash

By Mick Hinton And Tom Lindley/Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Employees of Chesapeake Energy Corp., the state's largest natural gas producer, have sunk more than $100,000 into Jim Roth's bid to retain his seat on the state Corporation Commission, an analysis by the Tulsa World shows.

Story Below: Roth's Seattle Involvement Defending McClendon From Gay Attacks Revealed In Emails

More than 80 Chesapeake employees have contributed at least $1,000 each to the campaign of Roth, a Democrat running against Republican Dana Murphy. Roth sided with Chesapeake in a key vote last October involving construction of a coal-fired power plant.

"I've never had a contributor ask for anything in return and they must know that they would never get it,'' Roth said.

[Aubrey McClendon and Clay Bennett are honorary co-chairmen of Roth's campaign. Roth's website reports, "In a letter mailed to friends by Mr. Bennett and Mr. McClendon they state, 'Moving Oklahoma forward by making it a better place to work and live is a mutual goal. Jim Roth also shares our vision of a pro-growth Oklahoma.' They continue, 'As the Incumbent, he is a leader that demonstrates the vision, integrity and experience necessary for the responsibility of this position.'"]

With five weeks to go before the Nov. 4 election, Roth's fundraising efforts already have set a record for a Corporation Commission race and could reach $1 million before it's over.

A former Oklahoma County commissioner, Roth was appointed to the three-member Corporation Commission by Gov. Brad Henry last year after Denise Bode resigned.

Roth and Murphy, an Edmond lawyer and former administrative law judge for the commission, are vying to fill the remaining two years of Bode's term. Through the Aug. 11 campaign reporting period, Roth had raised $884,143.18 and had $652,805.89 to spend. Murphy had raised $324,307.30 through the same period but only reported a balance of $60,965 after winning a Republican Party primary battle against Rob Johnson of Kingfisher.

Roth's campaign has received maximum $5,000 contributions from a number of prominent Democrats and Republicans, including Tulsa oilman George Kaiser; Clay Bennett, chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA franchise; Enid oilman Harold Hamm; Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor; former University of Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer; and oilman Boone Pickens.

Other Tulsans who have given $5,000 contributions to Roth's campaign are David Chernicky, George Krumme, Janet McGehee, Robert Price, Stuart Price, Joe Robson and Stacy Schusterman.

So far, 104 Chesapeake employees have contributed $100,675, including 82 who have given Roth $1,000 each, often on the same day, according to reports filed with the state Ethics Commission.

Aubrey McClendon, chairman and CEO of Chesapeake, gave a maximum contribution of $5,000, as did Energy for Oklahomans, a political action committee for the company.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Chesapeake is Oklahoma's largest natural gas producer and the third-largest overall producer of natural gas in the United States.

Last year, McClendon led a campaign against the proposed Red Rock coal-fired power plant. Two of the state's largest utilities, American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., wanted to build the plant. Roth and Commissioner Jeff Cloud voted to deny pre-approval of the plant, which effectively stopped the project. Roth said the Red Rock debate was not about which fuel should be used to generate electricity. Rather, he said, it was about whether ratepayers should be asked to pay for the costs of the plant before it was put into operation.

"When I stood up to the utilities and said no to their $2 billion plan and advocated using Oklahoma fuel for Oklahomans, I'm sure that it did attract support of employees and businesses here in Oklahoma because they know I'm working for Oklahoma," Roth said.

State and federal law prohibits corporations from contributing to candidates, although individual employees can, as long as they are not coerced into giving and their giving is not carried out by the corporation itself.

Marilyn Hughes, executive director of the Ethics Commission, said that when employers start specifying amounts and to whom, it might appear that an employee's job is dependent on making a contribution.

"I do think that giving the exact amount, giving it on the same day to the same candidate would be facts that would have to be considered to determine whether there was coercion," she said.

Tom Price, Chesapeake's vice president of communications, said Thursday that his corporation is careful to follow the law regarding campaign giving: "I am extraordinarily proud of the fact that our employees get involved in the political process," he said.

Price said it was the perspective of many Chesapeake employees that Murphy had not been fair in her rulings as an administrative law judge at the Corporation Commission. In response, Murphy asked: "What do people from the financial department and human relations know about me?"

Price also said Chesapeake employees supported Cloud in his 2002 race against Murphy. In 2002, Cloud received $37,800 from Chesapeake employees, campaign reports filed with the state Ethics Commission show. Cloud has received $12,500 from Chesapeake employees so far this year.

Price said he finds Roth to be "an analytical and sophisticated decision maker who works as hard as any public official that I have ever had engagement with."

Roth and Murphy are involved in a hard-fought race dominated by contributions from donors associated with the oil and gas industry, which is regulated by the commission along with public utilities, telephone companies and interstate transportation. The regulated industries are traditionally among the largest donors in previous commission races.

Roth said he has strong support from people all across Oklahoma in every type of job because he "has been working very hard for a year and a half to serve Oklahoma." He said he is building a large campaign fund because "the work is important and a positive message always costs more in a tough political environment."

Murphy said her grassroots campaign features contributors chiefly from independent oil and gas producers who often have five or fewer employees. "I think it is fascinating that my opponent says he is a consumer advocate when it appears the majority of his money comes from the wealthy," she said.

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Rifle Association Endorses Dana Murphy

Dana Murphy, Republican nominee for the Corporation Commission, was endorsed today by the Oklahoma Rifle Association.

"Ms. Murphy is highly qualified for this position and is a strong proponent of the 'right to keep and bear arms' and has demonstrated strong support for the sportsmen of Oklahoma," ORA's Executive Director Charles Smith wrote in his endorsement letter.

The ORA has been instrumental in furthering access to the 2nd Amendment for the citizens of Oklahoma, including the fight for the "Stand Your Ground Law" that has become the model for other states to follow.

Murphy believes the ORA endorsement shows the need to have elected officials who understand the Constitution and "are willing to preserve that which our founding fathers created.

"My family comes from a long tradition of the shooting sports and I know first hand the incredible work of the ORA to ensure and further our 2nd Amendment rights in Oklahoma," said Murphy. "I am flattered and honored to receive their endorsement in my race for Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner."

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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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TvPoll: McCain-Palin 65.9%, Obama-Biden 27.9%; Jim Inhofe 57.2-29.2% Over Andrew Rice

A new TvPoll for KWTV-Channel 9 shows Republicans with substantial leads in major Oklahoma races.

In the presidential race, John McCain and Sarah Palin are reported at 65.9 percent, while Barack Obama and Joe Biden trail badly at just 27.9 percent with 6.2 percent undecided.

In the U. S. Senate race, incumbent Republican Jim Inhofe is reported at 57.2 percent, while Democrat Andrew Rice has only 29.2 percent. Independent Stephen Wallace has 3.6 percent and 10 percent are undecided.

In the Corporation Commission race, Republican Dana Murphy has 44.7 percent compared to 36.1 percent for incumbent Democrat Jim Roth. About 19 percent are undecided.

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KTOK: Oil, Gas Donors Boost Corporation Commission Campaigns of Cloud, Murphy

By Jerry Bohnen/NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ Republican Corporation Commission candidate Dana Murphy knows she has a mountain to climb when it comes to raising the kind of money collected by the man she wants to unseat, Democrat Jim Roth.

She had only $35,000 on hand after winning the primary.

A review of her campaign records as of mid-July showed that nearly a third of her contributors were from the oil and gas industry that would fall under her regulation if she were to win the seat now held by Roth. And those same oil and gas contributions made up about two-thirds of the money raised by Murphy.

Of the 313 donors to her campaign, 104 were from the oil and gas industry and they contributed more than $66,000 out of the total campaign contributions of $93,000.

Murphy's campaign is no different than any of the candidates for the corporation commission.

Their campaign reports reflect much the same--a growing movement by those in energy industry to flow money into the campaigns. Many energy companies see it as hedging their bets on which candidate will be successful.

Meanwhile, a review of campaign contributions to date of Republican Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud's re-election bid shows more than half of his contributors are in the oil and gas industry.

Of the 237 individual contributions listed for the July report, 150 came from oil and gas people. They gave $202,000 to Cloud who listed a total of $260,000 in campaign contributions.

A check of the contributions also showed that 32 of the contributors worked for OG&E and its gas supply subsidiary Enogex. There were 14 contributors who listed as being employed by ONEOK and its subsidiary ONG. Chesapeake Energy had five employees who contributed to Cloud's campaign.

Of the 28 contributors who were listed as giving the $5,000 maximum allowed under law, only four were not from oil and gas people.

As for Murphy, her campaign reports showed she loaned herself $10,000 for the race and received nearly $5,000 of in-kind contributions. Most in-kind contributions came from Murphy because she paid for gas, receptions and food, advertising, office furniture and postage.

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Political People & Events

Rob Johnson: The state representative from Kingfisher who narrowly lost the Republican nomination for the Corporation Commission to Dana Murphy today endorsed her campaign and pledged to help work for her election against incumbent Democrat Jim Roth.

DNC Blog: The Democrats of Oklahoma Community Forum, http://www.demookie.com/, has been selected as an official blog from the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Representing the forum there will be Tim Reese and Calvin Rees.

Republican Optimism: Some Oklahoma Republicans are optimistic today about this fall's elections, citing liberal Barack Obama at the top of the ticket, with liberal Andrew Rice as the U. S. Senate nominee and openly gay Jim Roth seeking election as Corporation Commissioner. "We've got to be careful not to get carried away," said a GOP county chairman in southwestern Oklahoma, "but, man, this is shaping up well for us." Said a longtime Tulsa County GOP leader: "We both remember McGovern in '72 and how he killed (Democrat) Ed Edmondson against Dewey (Bartlett). I see the same thing happening this time around, and Obama probably won't do as well as McGovern did. Rice probably wouldn't run too well even without the Obama drag. Way I see it is, conservative Democrats just don't have much of a place to go on the top races except to our nominees. That, or stay home."

Bullet-Proof: Republican Rep. Randy Terrill, having survived an all-out assault in the primary over his sponsorship of the state's new immigration law, is now viewed by many as politically bullet-proof. Said a GOP consultant: "His enemies shot their wad in the primary and he killed 'em. He's got bigger bullets than they do. So what's next: Terrill for governor?"

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Murphy Wins Corporation Commission Race

Dana Murphy appears to have won the GOP primary for the Corporation Commission over Rep. Rob Johnson in today's voting.

With 2,217 of 2,234 precincts reporting, Murphy had 68,018 votes to Johnson's 65,274. That made it Murphy 51 percent, Johnson 49 percent.

Murphy now faces incumbent Democrat Jim Roth in the general election.

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Most See Close Johnson-Murphy Primary

Rob Johnson...or Dana Murphy?

Ask Republican insiders and other observers about their Tuesday primary for the Corporation Commission and the opinions fly all over the place as the two battle to win the right to face incumbent Democrat Jim Roth for the remainder of the two-year term to which Roth was appointed when Republican Denise Bode resigned.

"Well," said one of the state's most astute analysts, "I'd say Johnson but we're also waiting to see what Murphy's last minute media blitz does. These candidates have not really had the money to run effective major statewide campaigns, so there's a lot of play -- my 6:5 pick is Johnson."

"Murphy by a nose," said another. "But don't bet any money on it."

Said one of the state's top GOP consultants: "Dana began the race as a front-runner...and supposedly had the support of most in the energy industry. But she and others underestimated Rob's ability to raise funds from the OIPA oil/gas crowd, and she found herself behind in fundraising. She never caught up, despite loaning her own money to her campaign. Then, instead of hiring a campaign-tested advertising firm, she went with a downtown OKC corporate ad agency that doesn't understand political campaigns. The result of her weak-by-comparison fundraising and her poor hiring decision is unconvincing paid media and too little of it. Murphy clearly started out ahead on a statewide ballot, but Johnson has erased that advantage and, by Election Day, will have taken Dana's lead and won the nomination."

Johnson, State House member and the son of Senator Mike Johnson of Kingfisher, challenged Murphy's candidacy during the filing period; his challenge, based on a technicality, was rejected by the Election Board and was viewed by many as a trivial attack that didn't work.

Murphy, perceived by many the initial front-runner, appears to some to have lost her momentum in the paid media battle. Johnson was on the air early, and often, and remains so. Murphy's paid media has become increasingly apparent in the past 48 hours.

Said one GOP official: "This is a good race. Two good people, both qualified. Both have strengths. It looks very close to me as of right now (Saturday)."

Said a southern Oklahoma local GOP official: "Dana has some name ID from the 2002 race, so she's probably ahead based on that alone, and she's also strong with the hardcore party people. Rob's done a pretty good job building name ID. Either one of them will do well against Roth down here, but I do think it will be very close between them on Tuesday."

Said a veteran campaign observer in northwestern Oklahoma: "Both have good ads, with Johnson playing the 'family' card. It will be interesting to see how (Murphy's) long time involvement with the Party will play out. And, who will vote Tuesday? Will the guys get out as well as R women’s groups? I...would not bet" on the outcome.

Johnson began the race with a $164,000 transfer from his House campaign committee. He's raised, his Ethics Commission report shows, $224,000 and spent $241,000, leaving him with about $146,000 cash on hand as of the end of the last reporting period.

Murphy reports she's raised about $257,000, spent $210,000 and had about $35,000 on hand.

In her 2002 race for the commission, Murphy and eventual winner Jeff Cloud battled to a razor-thin margin for Cloud in the primary, 40 percent to 39.5 for Murphy. In the runoff, Cloud easily defeated her, 59 to 41 percent.

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