Three Democrats seek spot on Corporation Commission

Three Democrats are running in the Nov. 4 general election for seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, the state office charged with the chief duty of regulating public utilities.

Democrats Sam George, Sandra Kennedy and Paul Newman are facing Republicans Marian McClure, Bob Stump and Barry Wong, who were profiled in the Thursday edition of The Sun.

George is a former deputy secretary of state for Arizona, having served from 1990 to 1994. He has worked for 25 years at the state and federal level and has helped write and pass the legislation ranging from Clean Elections to the Voter Protection Act..

He also co-wrote the book "The Great Divide," which presents policy ideas concerning the nation's energy policy. He is a graduate of Marquette University.

"I am running for Corporation Commission to protect consumers and protect the environment," George said. "The Corporation Commission sets utility rates in Arizona and also determines how much green energy the state must use."

George believes he is best qualified for the office. "I am Arizona's former deputy secretary of state. I am the only candidate who has run a state agency. I am also an author who has published a book on the need for energy independence."

Kennedy was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1986. She served six years before becoming a three-term senator. She unsuccessfully ran for Corporation Commission in 2000.

Kennedy began her public service in 1990 when she was elected to the Phoenix Union High School board. That year Gov. Rose Mofford appointed her to the Arizona Employment and Training Council. She was also appointed to the executive committee of the State Democratic Party.

Kennedy owns Kennedy Restaurants in Phoenix. She holds a degree in accounting and business administration from Arizona State University.

She was voted Outstanding Young Woman of America for 1984 and served as a delegate to the Foreign Relations Conference in 1988 for the American Council of Young Political Leaders in Washington, D.C. She has been a member of the National Conference of State Legislators and the National Black Conference of State Legislators.

She did not respond to requests by The Sun for comments.

Newman has been a member of the Arizona bar for 20 years and served three terms in the Legislature, representing Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties. He is currently a member of the Cochise County Board of Supervisors.

He graduated with a degree in behavioral and social science in 1976 from the University of Maryland. He holds two masters' degrees, one in judicial administration and the other in pubic administration, from the University of Southern California. He attended the California Western School of Law.

Newman has worked as a consultant for the California Supreme Court and as as a public defender in San Diego and Cochise counties.

"I was inspired to run for this seat because it is a critical time for action to reduce the effects of climate change," he said. "I believe that solar energy in Arizona will play a key role in turning around our economic, environmental, and energy difficulties. We can create thousands of new jobs in the solar industry and provide clean, reliable energy at stable rates to consumers.

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THE COMMISSION'S JOB

• The chief purpose of the commission is regulating public utilities.

• The commission also facilitates the incorporation of businesses and organizations, securities regulation and railroad/pipeline safety.

• Commissioners adopt rules and regulations thereby functioning in a legislative capacity, and they also act in a judicial capacity sitting as a tribunal and making decisions in contested matters.

Source: www.cc.state.az.us

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.