Underdog Dorman seeks name ID in governor’s race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Eager to boost his name recognition in an uphill race for Oklahoma governor, Democratic state Representative Joe Dorman will take any publicity he gets – even from an attack ad launched by opposing forces.

The Republican Governors Association began airing ads on major network stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa last week as part of a more than $200,000 ad buy hammering Dorman as "liberal Joe" and linking Dorman to President Barack Obama’s federal health care law.

A self-described underdog, Dorman says he appreciates the name recognition he’s getting from the ad.

Dorman has raised about $655,000 in his race to unseat incumbent Republican Governor Mary Fallin, who has amassed more than $3.2 million.

The two candidates are expected to appear in a live debate Thursday broadcast statewide on OETA.