Dear Oklahoman Editor,

In our country, a newspaper has the constitutional right to endorse any candidate it chooses; however, it bothers me that in choosing to endorse my opponent you decided to challenge my ethics.

You wrote my opponent has "superior ethics," but not once in my 1.25-hour meeting with your editorial board was I asked a question about ethics or given any chance to respond to ethical concerns you might have. No Oklahoman reporter has asked me such a question. It is disappointing to see the state’s largest newspaper ignore the basic tenet of journalism “to get both sides.”

You cause me to presume that you believe allegations over facts or over any proof something that appears to coincide with the statements my opponent has been asserting about me.

The facts are that beyond the “allegations” made about me, I have never been charged with an “ethics violation.”  It appears that you are more concerned with political rhetoric, than with the facts helpful to the voting public. 

A review of the facts surrounding my opponent Jim Roth’s service and his campaign easily reveals that he has no “superior ethics” to any candidate for any office.  Commissioner Denise Bode was flogged by Attorney General Drew Edmondson for taking “pledges” prior to the 120-day window allowed by law for sitting commissioners, but my opponent solicited campaign contributions prior to the 120-day time. Review of Ethics Commission records will show my opponent had to return contributions because they were from individuals with an interest in companies regulated by the Commission, something prohibited during the 120-day window.

Other newspapers as well as yours have covered the story of how many of my opponents contributions have come from individuals at one regulated company or from many individuals employed by regulated utilities, something unprecedented in the history of Corporation Commission races.  A comment from the head of the Ethics Commission, Marilyn Hughes, even referenced that such donations coming from so many employees at one company during a 48-hour period would raise concerns over possible coercion.

I respect and recognize that you can endorse whomever you like; however, I take exception to the manner of your endorsement when you attempt to smear my reputation and career in the process.

Dana L. Murphy