Republicans Seize Power in Arizona Corporation Commission Shakeup

By Daniel Stefanski |

In a significant political shift, Arizona’s Corporation Commission will be entirely under Republican control following the November General Election. The party triumphed in all three contests for Commissioner positions, with Rachel Walden, Rene Lopez, and incumbent Lea Márquez Peterson taking the top spots in that order. Notably, Márquez Peterson outperformed the nearest competitor by a margin of 100,000 votes.

Upon her election, Walden expressed her gratitude, stating, “It is a great honor to be elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission. I am immensely grateful for all the grassroots efforts and the hundreds of thousands of votes. Thank you for placing your trust in me.” She emphasized her commitment to ensuring affordable and reliable utilities for Arizonans.

Lopez shared his appreciation via social media, thanking those who supported him and acknowledging the teamwork involved in the campaign. “We did it!” he proclaimed, highlighting the collaborative effort that led to their success.

For her part, Márquez Peterson also voiced her appreciation, stating, “Thank you to every campaign volunteer and supporter across the state. I’m honored to continue serving at the Arizona Corporation Commission for a second term!”

Current Commissioner Kevin Thompson weighed in on the election results, noting that despite significant financial efforts by liberal activist groups to unseat Republican candidates, voters clearly preferred a commission focused on reliability and affordability over activist agendas. He indicated confidence that the new Republican majority would uphold the Commission’s commitment to maintaining Arizona’s utility services without succumbing to pressures that threaten the state’s interests.

Despite Democrats’ victories for major statewide offices in 2022, Republican control of the Corporation Commission highlights a counterbalance aimed at limiting leftist policies’ influence in Arizona. The Commission’s mandate includes ensuring “safe, reliable, and affordable utility services,” a mission the newly elected members are poised to amplify without the opposition of any Democrats starting in January.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.