by: BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dana Murphy narrowly defeated Rep. Rob Johnson in Tuesday’s Corporation Commission Republican primary.

She will face incumbent Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, a Democrat, on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

“I started out feeling at great peace this morning,” Murphy said. “That is how I feel now. I feel like what is meant to be is going to be.”

Murphy got 51 percent to Johnson’s 49 percent.

Murphy is a former administrative law judge who made a failed bid for the post in 2002. Johnson, R-Kingfisher, had sought to avoid a primary election by challenging Murphy’s candidacy. The Oklahoma Election Board sided with Murphy in the dispute, allowing her to remain on the ballot.

Gov. Brad Henry appointed Roth in May 2007 to replace Denise Bode, a Republican, who quit to enter the private sector. Roth is a former chairman of the Oklahoma County Commission.

The winner will serve the remaining two years of the term.

Johnson said he was disappointed in the results.

“I congratulate Dana on a hard-fought primary, and she should be proud of winning the nomination,” he said.

“I am very humbled by the amount of people who voted for me and very much appreciate the support. It wasn’t the result we wanted.”

Going into the general election, Murphy said she will build on her grassroots effort.

She said she is the most qualified person running, adding that she wants to be a watchdog for all Oklahomans.

On the campaign trail, she has tried to educate people about what the Corporation Commission does.

She said she doesn’t think Roth has more name recognition than she does, adding that she has built a lot of name recognition during the primary.

She has been advertising on television and traveled 16,032 miles since March 1, she said.

Also on the Nov. 4 general election ballot, Republican Corporation Commissioner Je. Cloud will face Democrat Charles Gray, a former lawmaker. Both are from Oklahoma City.

The original article can be found here.