Matt Pinnell, candidate for lieutenant governor, calls for Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy’s resignation
Published: July 19th, 2018
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Lieutenant Governor candidate Matt Pinnell has called for his fellow contender, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy, to resign from her position with the Commission. The request came amid the Corporation’s ongoing consideration of the Wind Catcher Energy Project — one of the largest cases in history — and Murphy’s acceptance of donations from individuals and corporations she regulates.
In sum, Pinnell contends that Commissioner Murphy is gathering donations from individuals on both sides of the Windcatcher case and “slow-playing” a ruling as a way to raise money using her influence as a Corporation Commissioner.
“Commissioner Murphy can’t have it both ways: you can’t raise money from the very people you are regulating while at the same time running for a different office. This is what voters loathe. We’re tired of the same politicians answering to the same special interests. I’m asking Commissioner Murphy to do the right thing, resign to run for this office if she truly wants to be Lt. Governor,” Pinnell said in a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK and other news organizations.
Last quarter, over 84 percent of Commissioner Murphy’s campaign donations were from individuals and industries she regulates. Even more concerning, Pinnell points out, she has taken money from those directly involved in the current Wind Catcher proceedings.
“Commissioner Murphy is using her current government role to enhance her self-interest and fill-up the coffers of her campaign account while at the same time delaying a ruling in a consequential Corporation Commission case because she just simply doesn’t like the political optics that would result in picking a side,” said Pinnell.
The issue in Pinnell’s view was summarized in the release circulated on Thursday (July 19): “Dana Murphy has collected more than $500,000 from industry sources to fuel her campaign for Lieutenant Governor, while at the same time sitting on the Corporation Commission regulating those same interests.”
Pinnell concluded: “I, as an Oklahoman, call for Commissioner Murphy to step down, effective immediately and let’s have a discussion on her plans as Lt. Governor. I ask that she quit playing politics and wasting taxpayer money holding a government job she is currently not fulfilling.”