The Arizona Corporation Commission sports a new face, as Democrats Paul Newman, Sandra Kennedy and Republican Bob Stump begin their four-year terms.
Their swearing-in marks a return to a bipartisan commission, which has been Republican dominated for more than 10 years, the Phoenix Business Journal reports.
Kennedy, a 12-year veteran state legislator, makes history as the first black woman elected to statewide office. The new lineup also marks a return of representation from Southern Arizona with the addition of Bisbee resident Newman.
All three new commissioners come with previous experience in elected office. In addition to Kennedy’s legislative service, Stump completed six years as a legislator. Newman was formerly a Cochise County supervisor and state legislator.
They join Commissioners Kris Mayes and Gary Pierce — both Republicans.
January 6, 2009 at 9:18 am
The new liberal bent of the C C is sure to lead to higher utility bills. We’ve got to defeat all that human caused global warming, don’t you know.
January 6, 2009 at 9:36 am
It was just a few months ago that the new Democrat Commissioner Paul Newman was picked up with marijuana in his car. No biggie, huh? After all he’s from the hippieville of Bisbee.
January 6, 2009 at 9:46 am
In all the chest-beating I hear in the GOP circles about how well they did on November 4, I have yet to read any anaysis of how they managed to lose these two seats in a statewide race. Can someone enlighten me?
January 6, 2009 at 10:15 am
Sure Ron — it was uneducated, uncaring, weed-smoking voters….along with the dimocrats……but then I repeat myself…..
January 6, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Ron:
The answer is simple. The Ds ran as a TEAM and had advertising on TV, radio and street signs. They were everywhere. The GOP crew, while good people, were not nearly as cohesive, mostly due to the fact that they were not a primary team and all had different levels of funds available, etc. Bob Stump was, thankfully, able to cut through the noise. And, let’s be honest, his name ID is great because people remember the late, great Congressman Stump (and a few voters probably thought it was the same person). Stump will be a great commissioner, and I’m happy he’s there, especially since Sam Vagenas….ER, George is not worthy of elective office.
January 6, 2009 at 2:17 pm
ron,
It really boiled down to TV advertising, which has done more to *unduly* influence the outcomes of this year’s elections than anything else. The AZ Corp. Comm. Democrat candidates had lots of television advertising.
When Al Franken “wins” in Minnesota, the transition of the U.S. to boobocracy will be complete.