Edmond’s Dana Murphy was sworn in to the office of state Corporation Commissioner Monday afternoon.

“Among the many emotions that fill my heart today beyond thankfulness are incredible gratitude, humility and honor for being here today and being able to serve the state and the people that I love,” Murphy said, after taking the oath from Oklahoma Supreme Court Vice-Chief Justice Steven W. Taylor.

Murphy thanked her supporters but especially her family for their blessings, encouragement, loyalty and inspiration during her political campaign.

Edmond voters played a significant role in November in electing their home-town Republican to the Corporation Commission.

Murphy reaped 74 percent of the Edmond vote, besting Democrat Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth by 9,653 votes. She won all but five of Edmond’s 36 precincts with 26,797 votes against 17,144 votes for Roth, according to the Oklahoma County Election Board. Statewide, Murphy had 735,667 votes, 52.27 percent of the total. Roth had 671,823 votes, 47.73 percent of the total.

“It was full of twists and turns and an occasional pothole,” Murphy said of her race for office. “I can tell you the road to being an elected official — it was never one I dreamed of as a young adult.”

Murphy took to her heart the advice of her late father, who often said, “Life was never intended to be lived in the straight-of-ways. It was meant to be lived in the twisting and turning winding turns of life. Because there, that’s where we have to depend on God ….”

Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony said Murphy is one of the most qualified, prepared and experienced people to have taken the oath of office for corporation commissioner.

She pledged to bring more efficiency and transparency to the agency. Murphy said she will inform Oklahomans about the role of the commission.

Transportation, oil and gas, public utilities and the storage and dispensing of petroleum-based products are the four areas regulated by the Corporation Commission. It oversees the conservation of natural resources while balancing consumers’ needs.

“Dana is, I am absolutely sure, the first Oklahoma Corporation Commission Employee of the Year who went on to get elected to be a commissioner,” Anthony said.

At least one of the commissioners at any given time during the past 100 years had been appointed by the governor, Anthony said. Now all three commissioner will have gotten their start by being elected, he said.

“A brief glimpse of Dana’s life reveals one grounded in faith and driven by persistence, discipline and an unending optimism that the glass is always half full,” said Jane Jayroe Gamble, mistress of ceremonies.

Murphy said Oklahomans should expect, demand and deserve the most qualified elected officials to represent them. Her journey to the Corporation Commission was to believe in the service, commitment and sacrifice to the state of Oklahoma, she said. She gave people a reason to vote for someone based on their qualifications, Murphy said.

“I pledge to every Oklahoman, no matter whatever the challenges are that lie ahead, I will energetically and enthusiastically give it everything I have to do what’s best for the state,” she said.

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