Murphy Challenged On Second Donation

Democrat Senate candidate Bob Murphy (pictured) of Stillwater is being challenged today by Republicans to acknowledge the receipt of a $5,000 contribution from the controversial Working Oklahomans Alliance, a political action committee operated by trial lawyers and funded, in large part, by "donations" from workers' comp claim recipients, many of them unemployed.

The challenge follows yesterday's challenge from GOP Senator Clark Jolley over a $650 donation to Murphy from a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission, Jim Loftis. Following Jolley's challenge, Murphy returned the donation and Loftis said he would recuse himself from any action in selecting a district judge in Payne County. Murphy held the post and resigned it to make the Senate race; then, a day before the application deadline to fill the post, he filed to fill his own vacancy. He said he'd prefer to serve in the Senate, but if not, wants to remain a judge.

The Working Oklahomans Alliance reports donating $5,000 to Murphy, yet Murphy has insisted he “can’t locate” the contribution.

“The judge says because he can’t locate the check, it’s a ‘moot point,’” said Randy Swanson, executive director of the Oklahoma Republcan Senatorial Committee.

“It’s not moot. In fact, it’s time for the judge to come clean about the contribution, then do the right thing and turn the money over to charity,” said Swanson. “To return the cash to the Working Oklahomans Alliance would do no good for the aggrieved worker’s comp claimants.

“We suggest that Murphy feed a few hungry Oklahomans by donating this cache of cash to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma City, an organization that serves hungry Oklahomans throughout the state, including feeding centers in Senate District 21,” Swanson suggested.

“This is only just, as Oklahomans from across the state unknowingly and unwillingly contributed to Murphy’s campaign,” he added.

“The clock is running,” Swanson said. “The contribution was made on July 3 – forty days ago. We’re waiting to see how long it takes Judge Murphy to track down that elusive check and do the right thing. We’ll be watching."

A count-up clock is marking time on www.oksenategop.com. The clock will stop when Murphy donates the contribution to the Regional Food Bank or an appropriate charity.

Share |

Halligan-Murphy Race Appears Likely

As earlier reported likely to occur here, Payne County Associate District Judge Robert M. Murphy Jr. of Stillwater filed today as a Democratic candidate for the Senate District 21 seat being vacated by Mike Morgan.

Dr. James Halligan, former president of Oklahoma State University, filed earlier for the Republican nomination.

The seat is considered key as Republicans seek to take control of the now split 24-24 Senate in this fall's elections.

Murphy's less-than-stellar record as a judge likely will be a campaign issue; he may face questions about his removal as a judge in the Terry Nichols case.

As The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reported at the time, "A controversial judge will not be reinstated to the Oklahoma City bombing case. The Oklahoma Supreme Court refused 6-1 Tuesday to even consider whether the judge's ouster was justified. Judge Robert M. Murphy was disqualified in August on ethical grounds. He was to have presided over Terry Nichols' preliminary hearing. The ruling Tuesday was a victory for prosecutors who complained the associate district judge from Payne County was prejudiced against them. Both Nichols and Murphy asked the Supreme Court to overturn the ouster.... Murphy was disqualified for meeting with an Oklahoma City law firm May 19 about doing legal research for him on the bombing case. Prosecutors complained because two attorneys at the firm accused them of misconduct in other murder cases. The decision was made by District Judge Charles L. Goodwin of Clinton, who was appointed to hear prosecutors' complaints. He agreed Murphy violated ethical canons on judicial behavior. Murphy denied wrongdoing and described most of the meeting with the law firm as social. He said his 'good name and reputation' had been damaged."

Share |

Halligan Files For Stillwater Senate Seat

Former Oklahoma State University President James Halligan has filed for the
Senate seat being vacated by Senate Pro Tem Mike Morgan.

Morgan, D-Stillwater, is leaving the District 21 seat because of term limits.

Halligan was recruited by Republicans who are seeking to gain control of the evenly divided Senate, which has 24 Republicans and 24 Democrats.

Share |

Democrats May Have Found Halligan Foe

Democrats may have found an opponent for Republican James Halligan in Stillwater's Senate District 21, it is being speculated today.

Identified as the Democrat of choice is Associate District Judge Robert M. Murphy, Jr., last elected to that post without opposition.

Halligan, former president of Oklahoma State University, seeks to replace Senator Mike Morgan, the Democrat who is co-president pro tem and who is term-limited.

Halligan, Republican insiders say, has been successful in raising money for his campaign and has the support of numerous Democrats in the Payne County district. Halligan's campaign finance report shows he has $181,000 in cash on hand. His campaign chairman is banker Rex Horning and treasurer is Lawrence Hammer.

Among Halligan's top donors ($5,000) is OSU benefactor Boone Pickens.

If Murphy indeed is the Democrat choice for the race, he may face questions about his removal as a judge in the Terry Nichols case. As The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay reported at the time, "A controversial judge will not be reinstated to the Oklahoma City bombing case. The Oklahoma Supreme Court refused 6-1 Tuesday to even consider whether the judge's ouster was justified. Judge Robert M. Murphy was disqualified in August on ethical grounds. He was to have presided over Terry Nichols' preliminary hearing. The ruling Tuesday was a victory for prosecutors who complained the associate district judge from Payne County was prejudiced against them. Both Nichols and Murphy asked the Supreme Court to overturn the ouster.... Murphy was disqualified for meeting with an Oklahoma City law firm May 19 about doing legal research for him on the bombing case. Prosecutors complained because two attorneys at the firm accused them of misconduct in other murder cases. The decision was made by District Judge Charles L. Goodwin of Clinton, who was appointed to hear prosecutors' complaints. He agreed Murphy violated ethical canons on judicial behavior. Murphy denied wrongdoing and described most of the meeting with the law firm as social. He said his 'good name and reputation' had been damaged."

Share |

Halligan Makes It Official

As expected, former Oklahoma State University President Jim Halligan on Thursday announced he would run as a Republican next year for the seat being vacated by Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, who is term-limited.

Share |

Halligan Expected To Announce This Week

Former Oklahoma State University President James Halligan is expected to announce this week that he'll seek the Republican nomination for the State Senate in Stillwater, the seat now held by term-limited Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan.

Share |

Former OSU President Eyes Morgan Senate Seat

Former OSU President James Halligan says "a lot of people" have talked to him about running for the state Senate seat being vacated in 2008 by Senate Co-President Pro Tem Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater.

Morgan is prevented by term limits from seeking another term.

"I have changed my registration to Republican," Halligan said. "We have had a lot of people talk to us, and no decision has been made."

Halligan said he had been registered as an independent to encourage both sides of the political spectrum to donate to the university. He registered as a Republican this summer, he said.

Share |