These are the 4 candidates running for Arizona Corporation Commission on the November ballot

The Arizona Corporation Commission has two open seats up for election this November.

The Corporation Commission oversees utility services — approving electric rate changes, siting of power plants and more — along with state railroad and pipeline systems. The commission supports local entrepreneurs and enforces rules in the securities marketplace. The commission has eight divisions: administrative services, corporations, hearing, information technology, legal, safety, securities and utilities.

Commissioners serve four-year terms and can serve two consecutive terms. The commission has five members elected statewide by voters.

Arizona is one of seven states with a constitutionally created commission and is one of 13 states with elected commissioners. The body is known as the public utility commission in many other states. Of the five commissioners, three are elected during presidential election years and the other two are chosen during gubernatorial election years.

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Here is more information on the candidates running for the Arizona Corporation Commission this year.

Democratic candidates

Sandra Kennedy

Sandra Kennedy is running for re-election to the Arizona Corporation Commission. Prior to winning a seat in 2018, Kennedy was elected to one term on the commission in 2008, becoming the first African American candidate in Arizona to win statewide office.

Kennedy's re-election campaign website describes her as a “voice for the people, utility watchdog and customer champion.”

Kennedy has run for office as a "fierce consumer advocate" and an advocate for clean and renewable energy. She is outspoken on the usage of solar energy in Arizona and used it as a platform base for her 2008 and 2018 campaigns.

Kennedy was first elected to public office as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives in 1986. She served six years before running and winning a seat in the Arizona State Senate in 1992.

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Kennedy is running for re-election as a clean elections candidate.

Lauren Kuby

Lauren Kuby is a former Tempe councilmember who served two terms.

Kuby's campaign website lists her priorities as expanding of solar access, investing in energy efficiency, transitioning off coal and looking out for “ratepayers, not utility shareholders.”

The senior sustainability scientist at Arizona State University and climate activist has a history of advocating for clean energy. She previously created the Tempe Sustainability Commission and pushed for a single-use plastic bag ban in Tempe, which was blocked by the Legislature.

In office, Kuby said she would work to take advantage of the Arizona sun to expand rooftop solar opportunities for residents.

Republican candidates

Nicholas Myers

With five years of experience working as a staff member at the Arizona Corporation Commission, Nicholas Myers is now running for a seat on the commission itself.

According to his campaign website, Myers — the policy advisor for Commissioner Justin Olson — is running to “keep utilities focused, the grid reliable, and ensure every Arizonan has access to reliable, affordable energy, water, and gas.”

Myers lists as accomplishments his work to initiate changes at the former Johnson Utilities and his current work to create a more transparent and user-friendly website that shows commissioners' voting records. Myers supported bills at the Legislature to limit the commission's power to enact clean energy standards and to allow lawmakers to initiate reviews of commission decisions and subject them to consideration by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson is an Air Force combat veteran and small business owner.

Thompson is serving his last term as a member of the Mesa City Council. During his time in office, he has served as chairman of National League of Cities Economic Development Committee and on the American Gas Associations public policy committee.

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Previously, Thompson worked for Southwest Gas. He was terminated from his position at Southwest Gas in 2014 and later sued the company, claiming he was discriminated against based on age. The case was dismissed. If elected, Thompson would have regulatory authority over Southwest Gas as a commissioner.

Thompson wants to eliminate mandates and subsidies, keep the “Green New deal and California style energy policies out of Arizona,” take a proactive approach to reduce water losses in their pipelines, ensure that the “utilities maintain a resilient and reliable grid” and head towards energy independence.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Corporation Commission: Republicans, Democrats on the ballot