A woman who received the 2001 Commissioner's Public Servant award is now a candidate for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Dana Murphy spent the day campaigning in Ardmore on Thursday.

Born in Woodward, Murphy said she was raised in a family committed to agriculture and the petroleum industry. A fifth generation Oklahoma, she now lives in Edmond where she owns and operates an oil and gas legal practice. She graduated in 1983 from Oklahoma State University with a degree in geology. After working 10 years as a geologist, she earned her law degree cum laude from Oklahoma City University in 1993.

"I was fortunate to grow up in a large family devoted to Oklahoma farming, ranching and the energy business, so I learned early on the importance of a strong work ethic, committed service to others and care for our land and resources," Murphy said.

Murphy gained judicial experience at the Commission as an administrative law judge. Other qualifications she feels makes her an excellent choice for the Commission seat include her experience in the oil and gas industry as a geologist and attorney, and voluntary service as vice chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party.

"I really want this job," Murphy said. "I think Oklahoma needs a new type of leaders to lead us into the future. It's not a way station for me to get from one government job to another. It's about an Oklahoman that is really prepared and qualified for this job willing to step up and do it."

She believes Oklahoma is in a great position to be more of a leader in all types of energy not just in oil and gas but in wind, hydro, bio-fuels, solar and other evolving fuel sources.

"Plus we have great resources of people with that great Oklahoma pioneering spirit," Murphy said. "I see Oklahoma being able to position itself to be a leader not just in our region, not just in America, but more in the world with our people resources and our fuel resources that we have here. I'd like to be a part of the government side of doing something about that."

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulates about 75 to 80 percent of the commerce in the state every day and affects people's lives every single day, according to Murphy.