Steve Biehn, Staff Writer
The Daily Ardmoreite

Dana Murphy's campaign for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has taken her to communities large and small since she first decided to run last November. In fact, the odometer on her "new" blue truck indicates she has driven roughly 22,000 miles since March. Clearly, the former OCC administrative law judge is passionate about her candidacy.

"I'm running for the position because I'm the most qualified, and I believe I can make a difference now and for the future of Oklahoma," she said during a campaign stop in Ardmore Wednesday.

Murphy defeated Rep. Rob Johnson in the state Republican primary in July. She faces incumbent Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, a Democrat, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Gov. Brad Henry appointed Roth to replace Denise Bode after she resigned to enter the private sector. The winner will serve the remaining two years of the term.

"I am someone who will be a watchdog for everyday Oklahomans. I will make independent decisions based on what's best for our state, not just a few special-interest groups," Murphy said.

Murphy has used her campaign to educate people about the role of the Corporation Commission.

"It regulates transportation, oil and gas, petroleum storage tanks and public utilities," she said. "It's an agency that impacts 75 to 80 percent of all commerce in Oklahoma."

A fifth-generation Oklahoman who was born in Woodward, Murphy 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 from Oklahoma City University in 1993 and began working in a private law firm before becoming a Corporation Commission administrative law judge.

She received the 2001 Commissioner's Public Servant Award for her outstanding public service at the agency.

Murphy now lives in Edmond, where she owns and operates an oil-and-gas legal practice, representing both small producers and mineral owners.

Murphy said Oklahoma continues to be a leader on the national energy front and is poised to continue that role in the future.

"The more we use power wisely and conserve, the more we lower our personal energy costs, protect our environment, maximize the use of all energy forms and improve national security through reducing our dependence on foreign oil," she said. "Oil and gas will always be important, but we must advance the use of wind, hydro, clean coal, biofuels, solar and other evolving fuel sources in Oklahoma."

The original article can be found here.