JENKS - Dana Murphy was in the Jenks community last week with a pick-up bed full of campaign signs and ready answers as to why she is "the most qualified candidate" running for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

"I am the only one running that has the experience and expertise to serve on this very important public body," she said. "I have 20 years experience with oil and gas, I am a fifth generation Oklahoman, and I know about the needs of small and suburban communities."

Murphy said part of the challenge is to educate the public about what the Corporation Commission actually does.

"Every time you switch a switch, pump a tank of gas, or make a phone call you are using services that the Corporation Commission regulates," she said. "We are the ones that make sure that the gallon of gas you receive and pay that high per gallon price for is really a gallon."

Born in Woodward, Murphy was raised within a family she says was committed to agriculture and the petroleum industry. Murphy 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 for 10 years as a geologist, she earned her law degree cum laude from Oklahoma City University in 1993.

For "outstanding public service" at the Commission for almost six years, Murphy received the 2001 Commissioner's Public Servant Award.

"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," she said, "committed service to others and care for our land and resources."

She said her judicial experience at the Commission as an Administrative Law Judge, professional experience in the oil and gas industry as a geologist and attorney, and voluntary service as Vice Chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party makes her a "uniquely qualified" individual to serve as a Commissioner.

Murphy is running for the seat left open by Denise Bode.

"I do not think of myself as a politician, but as a good Oklahoman who wants to make a difference," she said. "I believe in a state government that is pro-actionary, not reactionary."

"With energy costs chewing a hole through the pocketbook like never before, we must develop Oklahoma resources in new and different ways to provide today and tomorrow's affordable power," she said.

Murphy said Oklahoma has the potential to provide 10 percent of America's electricity needs, Oklahoma already ranks sixth nationally for wind farm capacity with much of that to come from northwestern Oklahoma.

"Oil and gas will always be important, but we must advance the use of wind, hydro, bio-fuels, solar and other evolving fuel sources in Oklahoma."

"Journal readers need to know that I am an agent of change, someone who will look out for everyday Oklahomans and can be trusted to make decisions which are fair and for the highest good of all citizens.

The original article can be found here.