Solar Group Backs Burns For Commission

By Will Stone
Published: Monday, August 29, 2016 - 4:24pm
Updated: Monday, August 29, 2016 - 4:25pm

Money is pouring into the race for the Arizona Corporation Commission in the final stretch before the primary.

Campaign finance records show a pro-solar group spent about $667,000 dollars in support of Bob Burns, one of two incumbents running for the commission.

Burns has been the standard bearer in the fight to force Arizona Public Service to disclose whether it was behind $3 million dollars in dark money spending to get commissioners elected during the last cycle.

Others running against Burns like Representative Rick Gray are hammering him for what they call a "hypocritical" stance on the influence of the energy industry on races.

“If there is going to be a perception of regulatory capture, it looks to me like he’s the one being captured,” Gray said.

Burns said he would rather not have the solar industry involved in the campaign, but unlike the alleged APS dark money there is transparency about the source of these independent expenditures.

Five republicans are running for three seats on the commission. The three candidates with the most votes will advance to the general election.

Politics