Dear AriSEIA Members,
I want to share with you a quick elections update as it pertains to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Earlier this month, current Corporation Commissioner Boyd Dunn β R, appealed a Superior Court decision to toss more than 100 signatures deemed forged from his nominating petitions. On May 13, 2020, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the lower courtβs ruling disqualifying Commissioner Dunn from the ballot. The courts additionally removed political newcomer Nick Myers - R from the ballot.
On May 14, 2020, another Republican candidate running for a commission seat was removed. Kim Owens candidacy survived an initial challenge to her nominating petitions by only eight signatures, however, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed the lower courts decision and disqualified her from the ballot.
Currently, the Republicans hold a four to one majority on the Commission, with three of the seats up for election. With the courtβs rulings last week, that leaves two Republican candidates remaining on the ballot and three Democratic candidates on the ballot. Only one individual running is an incumbent, Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson β R, who was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey to the seat in 2019.
The other candidates that remain on the ballot are Eric Sloan β R, Tolleson, Mayor Anna Tovar β D, former Corporation Commissioner Bill Mundell - D and Shea Stanfield β D, a former member of the Cave Creek Town Council.
Though it is possible for the Republicans to run a write-in candidate, legally it cannot be Owens, Dunn or Myers. The candidate would need to receive the same number of votes as the minimum number of signatures required for the ballot, in this case 6,663 signatures.
With only two Republican candidates remaining on the ballot, not including a write in candidate, this means that the political split will be at the very least three Republican/two Democratic members, with the potential for the commissions majority to flip to Democrat control.
Please stay tuned for upcoming election information as developments occur.
At your service,
Nicole LaSlavic
AriSEIA Executive Director
β 
β 
β 
β 
β 