The four candidates vying to be Arizona’s newest utility regulators sparred on Thursday. The Arizona Corporation Commission has two seats up for grabs, and the outcome of the November election could significantly shift the power dynamic.
On the Republican side, there are two people on the ticket who are running as a team.
Justin Olson is the only incumbent — after current commissioner, Tom Forese, lost in the primary. Olson is a former state lawmaker and he’s the one Gov. Doug Ducey appointed after former Commissioner Doug Little left before his time was over. He’s running alongside Rodney Glassman, a former Tucson city council member and an attorney.
On the democratic side, there's Kianna Sears, a newcomer to the political process, but she worked at the Corporation Commission in the utilities division and is on the governing board of Mesa Public Schools.
Finally, there is Sandra Kennedy who actually served on the commission previously from 2009 to 2012 and received the most support among Democrats in the primary. She was not able to attend the debate.
KJZZ’s Will Stone was at the debate held at Rio Salado College and joined The Show to talk about it.
