Nov 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson
The race for Arizona Corporation Commission remains tight, but the
Democratic bid to take control of the regulatory body could prove
successful.
Preliminary results show Democrats Sandra Kennedy and Paul Newman leading
the pack of six candidates each with 18.1 percent of the vote with 99.1
percent of polls reporting.
Sam George, also a Democrat, had a razor thin lead of less than 1,000 votes
over Republican Bob Stump.
The two other Republicans -- Barry Wong and Marian McClure -- were trailing.
The Democrats had dubbed themselves the "solar team" and told voters they
would push to make Arizona a leader in generating electricity from solar
power. The Republicans also said they favored solar energy but also
supported coal- and nuclear-based energy sources.
The five-member commission was created by the Arizona Constitution, and it
regulates utilities and securities along with railroad and pipeline safety.
It also oversees the incorporation of businesses and organizations. The last
Democrat to serve on the commission was Renz Jennings, who left after the
1998 election. Democrats lost the majority two years earlier.
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