8/1/2017 Fundraising statute could pose problem for candidate The Journal Record

Fundraising statute could pose problem for candidate

By:CatherineSweeney TheJournalRecord July26,2017 0

OKLAHOMACITYTheelection
ismorethanayearaway,but
questionsarealready
materializingamongOklahomas
lieutenantgubernatorial
candidates.

DanaMurphyisthechairmanof
theOklahomaCorporation
Commission,whichregulatesoil
andgasandpublicutilities,
amongotherindustries.She
announcedhercandidacyon
DanaMurphylistensduringameetingoftheOklahomaCorporation Wednesdaymorning,andshe
Commission.(PhotobyMarkHancock)
seemstobeafundraisingfront
runner.Hercampaignannounced
shehasraisedabout$600,000,doublehernextbestfinancedcompetitor.

Corporationcommissionershavetofollowstrictrulespertainingtocampaigndonations.Commissionersandthe
agencysemployeesarebarredfromtakingpresents,transportationandothercontributionsfrompeoplewhoare
involvedwithafirmorbusinessintheregulatedindustries.However,ifsomeoneintheagencyrunsforoffice,the
rulesdictatecandidateshavealimitedwindowtoacceptdonationsfromthem.Itstarts120daysbeforetherelevant
primaryelectionandends120daysafterthegeneralelection.

MurphyhasalreadyorganizedacampaigneventinTulsaonAug.9,andtheeventwilloccurfarmorethan120days
beforethe2018lieutenantgubernatorialprimary.

Murphynotedthatthisisntthefirsttimethatshesbeenbothacorporationcommissionerandacandidate.Sheran
tokeepherpositionin2010.Shesaidthepeoplesheoverseesdirectlyarentallowedtocontribute,butotherwise,
sheisfreetoholdfundraisingevents.Shesaidthatshehasgottenanopinionfromtheattorneygeneralsofficeas
wellastheethicsboard.

Ididalotofhomework,shesaid.AndIthinkthatswhatpeopleshouldexpect.

Fourcandidateshaveenteredthelieutenantgovernorsrace,accordingtoOklahomaEthicsCommissionrecords.All
fourcandidatesMurphy,MattPinnell,EddieFieldsandDominiqueDamonBlockareregisteredRepublicans.

MattPinnell,alongtimeRepublicanPartyofficial,announcedhiscandidacyearlierintheyear.InaJuly10release,
hiscampaignannouncedithadraisedabout$300,000.HehasservedastheOklahomaRepublicanPartyschairman
andaliaisonfortheRepublicanNationalCommitteetothestates.

DominiqueDamonBlockranforofficeintheOklahomaHouseofRepresentatives88thDistrictinOklahomaCityin
2010,buthelosttoincumbentDemocratAlMcAffrey.Hehasnotdisclosedhisfundraisingresultssofar.

Taggedwith: DANAMURPHY LT.GOVERNOR

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