A group of candidates wants to shape how Arizona regulates private water and electric utilities as the state navigates increasing energy demand, extreme heat and water scarcity.
Two seats on the powerful five-member Arizona Corporation Commission are currently up for grabs. The board regulates various industries, including utilities.
Incumbent Kevin Thompson, a Republican and former Mesa city councilmember, is trying to hold onto his seat. He was elected in 2022.
All four candidates in the general election qualified for Clean Elections funding. Thompson has raised the most outside of public financing.
Thompson clinched one of two Republican nominations in July with a healthy margin. His running mate, Commissioner Nick Myers, was narrowly defeated
by state legislator and orthopedic surgeon Ralph Heap.
The Democratic primary was uncontested. Jonathon Hill, a researcher and aerospace engineer, and Clara Pratte, co-founder of electricity provider Navajo Power, are seeking to change the makeup of the commission. All five members of the board are Republicans.
The candidates will face each other at 6 p.m. Sept. 9. The debate will be livestreamed at azcentral.com.
Pratte, Thompson and Hill have all confirmed their attendance. Republican candidate Ralph Heap has not. Heap has twice tried to withdraw from the Clean Elections program. His attorney said at a recent meeting of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission that he “does not want anything to do” with the program anymore.
Write-in Green Party candidate Mike Cease is not listed among the participating candidates.
Alaina Mencinger covers energy, tech and utilities. Reach her at Alaina.Mencinger@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to watch in the Arizona Corporation Commission debate
