“Article 15 of the Arizona Constitution establishes the Arizona Corporation Commission. Only 7 states have constitutionally formed Commissions. Arizona is one of only 13 states with elected Commissioners. In the 37 other states, Commissioners are appointed by either the governor or the legislature.In most states, the Commission is known as the Public Service Commission or the Public Utility Commission. Our Commission, however, has responsibilities that go beyond traditional public utilities regulation. These additional roles include facilitating the incorporation of businesses and organizations, securities regulation and railroad/pipeline safety. By virtue of the Arizona Constitution, the Commissioners function in an Executive capacity, they 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.” (from their website, www.acc.gov)
Current incumbent Commissioner Gary Pierce is running for re-election, along with candidates Democrat David Bradley (LD 28 House Rep.), Republican Brenda Burns (former State Senator and State Rep.), Democrat Jorge Luis Garcia (current LD 27 State Senator & Senate Minority Leader). Also running are Green Party candidate Theodore Gomez, and Libertarian Rick Fowlkes, a consulting engineer/businessman.
Campaign websites:
David Bradley (D), www.bradleyforarizona.com
Brenda Burns (R), www.brendaburns2010.com
Rick Fowlkes (L), www.rfowlkes.com
Jorge Luis Garcia (D), www.votegarcia.org
Theodore Gomez (G)
Gary Pierce (R), www.garypierceforarizona.com, incumbent
There are 2 openings on the Corporation Commission. View these online debates or attend the upcoming forum in Tucson, to decide whom to vote for of the 6 candidates.
Arizona Citizens Clean Elections, Monday Oct. 4, 7 p.m. on Horizon KAET Channel 8 (view online at www.azpbs.org/vote2010, or within 72 hours of the debate at http://www.azcleanelections.gov/home/video/generaldebatevids2010.aspx. Bradley, Burns & Pierce running “clean”, rest are running traditionally.
Also, in Tucson (live):
League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, American Association of University Women (AAUW), & Sustainable Tucson forum
on October 6, 6:30p.m.
at Temple Emanu-El, 225 N. Country Club Rd. (north of Broadway Blvd.)
And if you missed it, view the KUAT Channel 6 debate between these candidates (Bradley, Burns & Pierce), which was held on September 30 at www.ondemand.azpm.org/ (click here). Senate Minority leader Garcia was absent, due to health issues per host Bill Buckmaster. No explanation was given as to why the Green & Libertarian candidates were absent (not sure if they were invited).
10/15/10 UPDATE: sad news that LD 27 State Senator Jorge Luis Garcia passed away today. If you view the CCEC video, you can see that he was visibly ill (due to a heart condition).
David Bradley
Brenda Burns
Rick Fowlkes
Jorge Luis Garcia
Photo of Green candidate Theodore Gomez not available.
Commissioner
Gary Pierce
