Voters in 9 States to Fill 15 PSC Seats Nov. 7
Voters in 9 states will fill 15 contested state commission seats in the Nov. 7 election. Only one PSC seat, in Mont., is uncontested. Seven incumbents are seeking new terms. Campaigns generally have been low key. The main issues are telecom infrastructure development, ethics and commission responsiveness to consumer needs.
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Ala. PSC Comr. Jan Cook (D) seeks a 5th term, opposed by Opelika real estate developer John Rice (R). A seat vacated by Comr. George Wallace to make a run for lieutenant governor
- unsuccessful, as it turned out - is sought by former state auditor Susan Parker (D) and Montgomery businessman and former state lawmaker Perry Hooper (R). Most issues concern energy. Others are PSC ethics and its responsiveness to consumers.
In Ariz., Comr. Kristin Mayes (R) seeks a 2nd Corporation Commission term, opposed by Sierra Vista lawyer Richard Boyer (D) and Mesa structural engineer Rick Fowlkes (Libertarian). Running for an open seat being vacated by Comr. Marc Spitzer are Mesa marketing specialist Gary Pierce (R) and Phoenix attorney Mark Manoil (D). Most issues are energy related. The major general issue is whether the Corporation Commission is fulfilling its role as a utility watchdog.
Ga. PSC Comr. Stan Wise (R) wants a 3rd term in the Dist. 5 Marietta-area seat. He’s opposed by Stockbridge fiscal policy analyst Dawn Randolph (D) and Douglasville animal control officer Kevin Cherry (Libertarian). Comr. David Burgess (D) seeks a 2nd term in the Dist. 3 Atlanta- area seat against Atlanta Realtor Chuck Eaton (R) and Alpharetta electrical engineer Paul McGregor (Libertarian). Major issues include low-income assistance for utility bills, the PSC adversary staff role and ex parte contacts’ influence on utility cases.
In Mont., Dayton rancher Mike Taylor (R) and Helena state Sen. Ken Toole (D) are running for the open Dist. 5 seat being vacated by Comr. Thomas Schneider. The main telecom issue is whether the PSC adequately polices Qwest earnings. PSC Chmn. Greg Jergeson (D) is unopposed for a 2nd term in the Dist. 1 PSC seat.
Neb. PSC Comr. Frank Landis (R) seeks his 4th PSC term in Dist. 1, opposed by Charlie Matulka (D) of Beatrice. Gretna farmer Tim Schram (R) and state Sen. Matt Connealy (D) of Decatur are running for the Dist. 3 PSC seat Chmn. Lowell Johnson is vacating. Major telecom issues are how to promote deployment of E-911 and improve wireless phone coverage.
N.M. Public Regulation Comr. David King (R) seeks a 2nd Dist. 2 PRC term, opposed by Tularosa dog trainer Stephanie DuBois (D). Native American activist and former McKinley County clerk Carol Sloan (D) of Gallup is running against community activist David Bacon of Santa Fe (Green) for the Dist. 4 seat vacated by Comr. Lynda Lovejoy.
Williamsburg builder and N.M. State Fair Commission chief Sandy Jones (D) will face off against real estate broker Earl Greer (R) of Truth or Consequences for the Dist. 5 seat being vacated by Comr. Shirley Baca, who lost to Jones in the Democratic primary. Major telecom issues are broadband infrastructure development in rural areas, and holding Qwest to investment commitments.
N.D. PSC Pres. Tony Clark (R) seeks a 2nd term, opposed by Fargo human rights activist Cheryl Bergian (D). The main telecom issues are wireless phone coverage and PSC responsiveness to telecom customer concerns.
Okla. Corporation Comr. Bob Anthony (R) seeks a 4th term, opposed by Oklahoma City human rights activist Cody Graves (D). The main issues are commission ethics, responsiveness to utility customer needs and regulatory impact on the economy.
In S.D., Brandon City Councilman and telecom technician Steve Kolbeck (D) is running against state Sen. John Koskan (R) of Wood and Ben Sutter (Libertarian) of Rapid City for the open seat being vacated by Comr. Bob Sahr. The main phone issue is how to upgrade the state’s telecom infrastructure.