Ariz. Corporation Commission: Rick Fowlkes

Name: Rick Fowlkes

Age:62

Hometown: Mesa, AZ

Office running for: AZ Corporation Commissioner

In district: State of Arizona

Political experience: None (except as candidate for the ACC)

Family: Wife - Linda Lee (for 43 years)

Three children – Sean and Troy Fowlkes, Stacy Huguez

Five grandchildren

Party: Libertarian

Please describe your platform? Less government, more freedom.  I support ending the monopoly system for the electric power industry in this state and giving rate payers three or more choices for their electric service provider. Competition is the best way to control electric rates- not regulating the rates of monopolists. I support returning the ACC to a three person board instead of five.

If elected, what is your first priority? To make progress towards ending the monopoly system for the electric power industry in Arizona. To give people more than one choice for their electric service provider.

Who do you think is your biggest challenger and why? Gary Pierce, because he is the incumbent ACC member.

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

My qualifications.

I am the only candidate with a BS degree in Civil Engineering. I graduated first in my class in the college of Civil Engineering at Tennessee Technological University – Class of ’69. I have an MBA from ASU (1986). I am formerly Vice President for three different prominent engineering companies in the Phoenix area, and president of my own consulting engineering business in Mesa, AZ since 1983. I have experience in the electric power industry, including lead structural engineer for the design of power generating stations, railroad structures, PV solar structures, and also designs in the water resources industry. I think that my engineering and business experience is unequaled by my opponents in this race.

My commitment to less government, and more competition in the industries that the ACC regulates.

What would you do to achieve more transparency in government, and should government officials be in charge of managing those efforts?

All of the activities of the ACC are public records and subject to the state public meeting laws. I think the ACC does a good job of making their actions and decisions available to the public.

Public notices are regarded as one important way for the public to find out what is really happening in government. Newspapers currently not only print public notices but also operate a free, consolidated, online, searchable database. Some people advocate that public notices should be available only on government websites. Do you agree that the Legislature should change the current law to mandate that public notices be available only on government websites?

No 

What do you think is the biggest challenge right now facing Yumans, and Arizonans?

The economy, loss of jobs, unemployment, under employment.