RDR: Congressional Contributions Calling Into Question
Douglas’ campaign contributions from regulated companies scrutinized
Tim Farley / Red Dirt Report
DEL CITY, Okla. — U.S. congressional candidate Patrice Douglas has accepted more than $117,000 in campaign contributions from employees and executives connected to utility and oil companies that she regulates as a state corporation commissioner, federal election records show.
Douglas, appointed to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in 2011 by Gov. Mary Fallin, will face retired Army Lt. Col. Steve Russell in the Aug. 26 Fifth District Republican runoff. Russell was the top vote-getter in the June primary election that featured six GOP candidates.
The FEC records show Douglas accepted campaign contributions from top executives at OG&E, Devon Energy, Chesapeake Energy, Enable Midstream, Sandridge Energy, Continental Resources, PSO, American Energy Partners and several others that are regulated by Douglas and two other corporation commissioners.
The contributions, which range from $250 to $2,600, were part of a report that lists all financial donations from January 1 to June 30.