There are only two statewide offices up in this year's Primary Election. The Republican nomination for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has generated considerable interest over the past few weeks.

The winner in Tuesday's primary election will face incumbent Democrat Jim Roth who was appointed to the commission in June 2007.

We believe Dana Murphy is the most qualified of the two Republican contenders. She has worked in the oil patch as a geologist, practiced oil and gas law and served as an administrative law judge at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. She understands the industry and sees a pro-active role by the commission in developing Oklahoma's energy policy.

Across the aisle, we believe Andrew Rice is the most qualified Democrat in the U.S. Senate primary. Sen. Rice, an Oklahoma State Senator, has tackled issues such as hunger in the homeland, energy efficiency, veteran's insurance and health insurance coverage for patients in clinical trials.

The winner will take on Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. James Inhofe.