Democrat

Arizona since: 1976.

Occupation: Owner, Busching Law PLC, since 2009; owner, Highline Properties, L.C., since 2005; arbitrator, American Arbitration Assn, since 1993.

Marital: Married (Robert Hall, business owner).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: N/A.

Education: J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1977; M.B.A., management, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1977; B.B.A., marketing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1972.

Political experience: Working on various campaigns of others; serving on the Citizens Clean Elections Commission for five years.

Memberships: Clean Election Commission, 2003-2008; chair, 2005-2006; Liquor Bd, 1999-2002; Community Legal Services Bd of Directors, president, 1992-1993, member, 1983-1993; member, Social Venture Partners, 2002-2009; member, ASU Foundation-Women & Philanthropy, since 2005; South Mtn Community College Advisory Bd since 2008; South Mtn Chamber of Commerce since 2007; City of Phoenix – Streets Transportation Committee, 2006-2008; City of Phoenix – Technology Subcommittee on Citizens Bond Committee, 2005; AZ Correctional Work Force Development Advisory Bd, 2006-2008; Landlord Tenant Task Force – State Bar of AZ, 2006-2008; Valley Partnership, 2006-2009; member, Nat’l Network of Commercial Real Estate Women, since 1985.

Interests: Time with friends, politics, hiking, traveling, backpacking, dining.

Political influence: Janet Napolitano was my immediate predecessor as chair of the board of directors of Community Legal Services. Her political wisdom and path to success has been an inspiration for me.

Background & experience: My entire upbringing and career has prepared me for this service. My energy conscious upbringing centered around traditional values. Following that, I studied business and law at university, and thereafter assisted small business clients and owned a small business. Most recently, I have been assisting parties in resolving disputes through mediation and arbitration work. This combination of education and skills makes me an ideal ACC candidate to serve Arizona’s citizens.

Top priority: The ACC should be a job creator by implementing policies that promote stable energy policies that foster investment and a favorable business climate.

Role of Legislature: With the Legislature and the Corporation Commission being two bodies of Arizona’s government, we should work together to lead Arizona’s citizens. As corporation commissioner, I intend to have conversations with our citizens, legislators, and municipal and county officials, to ensure that everyone is paying just and fair rates and we are building a robust economy in this state.

Privatization: I am in favor of the railway safety aspects being turned over to the Department of Transportation so that ADOT can manage road and railway safety crossings together. I am open-minded about other possibilities.

Control costs: By having the utilities invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, long-term energy costs will be lower for Arizonans [and] by encouraging the utilities to do long-term resource planning with a diverse mixture of utility generation resources.

Campaign finance: public.

Democrat

Arizona since: 1971.

Occupation: Corporation Commissioner since 2008; small business owner, 2002-2008.

Marital: Married (Dr. M. C. Burton, MD).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Baptist.

Education: Three years of college; high school diploma.

Political experience: AZ Corporation Commissioner since 2009; Phoenix Union High School Governing Bd, 1990-1994.

Legis exp: Senate 1993-1998; House 1987-1992.

Memberships: Tutor, Valley Christian Center and Valle Del Sol; bd member, AZ Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council; ex-officio member, Phoenix Community Alliance; former bd member, Community Excellence Project.

Interests: Bowling, Black Theatre Troupe, reading, volleyball.

Political influence: My mother. She instilled in me to always be respectful and mindful of others. She would always tell me, “Smile and the world will smile with you.”

Background & experience: My experience at the Legislature taught me patience. I found that learning about environmental issues and helping to set water policy at the Legislature set the groundwork for my tenure at ACC.

Top priority: Making sure Arizona doesn’t experience natural gas shortages by advancing the development of environmentally safe and sound storage facilities in Arizona.

Role of Legislature: None.

Privatization: No.

Control costs: Pushing for more resources for research and development for renewables, because without this, new technologies that would save ratepayers money will be hampered.

Campaign finance: public.

Democrat

Arizona since: 1987.

Occupation: Cochise County Board of Supervisors, 2001-2008; attorney, private practice.

Marital: Single.

Religious preference: Jewish.

Education: J.D., California Western School of Law, 1986; M.A., public administration; M.A., judicial administration, University of Southern California, 1979; B.A., behavioral & social science, University of Maryland, College Park, 1976.

Political experience: Candidate, Cochise County Bd of Supervisors, 2004; candidate, Cochise County Bd of Supervisors, 2000; Democratic nominee, AZ Corporation Commission, 1998-1999.

Legis exp: House 1993-1998.

Memberships: Did not respond.

Interests: Solar energy, electricity and gas issues, history, literature, sports, great food and movies.

Political influence: There are a number of politicians I admire, including California Rep. Henry Waxman, Arizona’s own Alan Stephens, my former legislative colleague John Loredo, Art Hamilton and others.

Background & experience: I’ve been doing the job for three and a half years now and understand these complex and critical issues much more deeply. I came in with a good understanding of issues such as water, building codes, state v. county v. city jurisdiction, and administrative law, which helps a lot. We are here to serve the public, and I’ve submitted dozens of amendments designed to increase transparency, help our fledgling solar industry, reduce pollution, recognize the real value of clean energy, encourage water re-use and conservation, encourage energy efficiency, and allow the public more access at the ACC. I’ve asked tough questions on nuclear, pipelines, and pollution.

Top priority: I believe that we need to look at how to incentivize utilities to increase solar, such as rate-basing solar. We should raise the Renewable Energy Standard and Tariff (REST), which is far below our neighbors. When you consider that solar has zero fuel costs, we are reducing risk of future increases. Since Arizona gets over 30% of its electricity from natural gas, our gas bills could literally double within a year, as they did from 2007-2008. Some states, such as Colorado, have REST increases of 2%, which is less than the cost to put emissions controls on coal plants.

Role of Legislature: The Legislature can play a key role in policies such as building and appliance codes or commercial property assessed clean energy, which allows the cost of solar to be put into property taxes. Arizona imports 90% of our fossil fuels for electricity. What does this mean when the cost of natural gas and coal increases? Hawaii imports all its fossil fuels, and thus passed state legislation requiring that all new buildings be fitted with solar hot water. Hawaii dominates the U.S. domestic solar hot water market. Arizona companies are making solar hot water panels and shipping them to Hawaii! Why use coal and natural gas to heat up water, when we could use the sun?

Privatization: We need a better system for coordinating the plethora of small, mom and pop water companies in Arizona. In many cases, I believe it is appropriate for the Commission to consolidate water utilities in order to bring more reliable service and less pass-through costs to consumers. It does not make sense for the Commission to regulate hundreds of water companies, each with a few dozen customers.

Control costs: I believe that we need to include risk in the cost of electricity. Although the cost of filtering out harmful pollutants such as mercury and acid rain is high, the benefits are far higher: 30 times the cost! The days when the “solution to pollution was dilution” are over. The coal ash spill in Tennessee in 2008 cost TVA ratepayers an astounding $1.2 billion. The old rules are breaking down. In the past, we assumed that the ‘hidden’ costs of fossil fuels would stay hidden. This is no longer true. We need to look at life-cycle costs for each and every source of electrical generation – no exceptions.

Campaign finance: public.

Green

Did not respond.

Green

Did not respond.

Libertarian

Did not respond.

Republican

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Vice-president, Technical Solutions, since 1990; executive director, Arizona/New Mexico Cable Communications Assn since 1980.

Marital: Married (Paul Smith, president, Technical Solutions.).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: United Church of Christ.

Education: M.B.A., ASU, 1982; B.S., business administration, ASU, 1977.

Political experience: Central AZ Water Conservation District Bd, 1999-2010, president 2007-2010; Balsz Elementary School Bd, 2005-2008; Maricopa County Charter Committee, 1997; Scottsdale City Councilmember, 1988-1992.

Memberships: American Society of Assn Executives (past chair, Key Award winner, Women Who Advance Excellence award winner and fellow), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Assn Committee of 100), Colorado River Water Users, ASU Alumni Assn (past chair and distinguished alumni award recipient), ASU Walter Cronkite Endowment Bd (past chair), ASU, M.B.A. Alumni Assn (honorary chair), Central AZ Project Assn, AZ Society of Assn Executives (past chair and outstanding assn exec award winner), St Theresa Catholic School Development Bd, Brophy and Xavier Mother’s Guild.

Interests: Politics, music, travel.

Political influence: Margaret Thatcher.

Background & experience: My tenure on the Central AZ Water Conservation District Board and my role as president of that board has uniquely qualified me to serve on the Corporation Commission. CAP is a significant water provider to the state and is Arizona’s largest consumer of power. CAP board members spend a great deal of time on water rate issues (an issue which is a significant component of the commission’s workload) and on managing the CAP diverse energy portfolio. My 12 years of service on the CAP board has given me the necessary understanding of the importance of energy and water rates and the training to tackle the tough issues at the commission.

Top priority: Reform of the private water company regulatory process. Arizona’s private water companies have an aging infrastructure and the current regulatory process is so cumbersome that many small water companies are not in a position to update and maintain their necessary plant and equipment which creates challenges for many Arizona water customers and Arizona’s water future.

Role of Legislature: The State Constitution defines the leadership role of the ACC in establishing energy policy. It is also clear that state legislators want to be involved in some components of energy policy. Working together within constitutional and statutorily defined roles will provide a more cohesive state energy plan.

Privatization: Railroad safety issues could easily be turned over to another more appropriate agency.

Control costs: The cost of regulation in Arizona has increased which in turn increases energy costs for Arizonans. Expediting and streamlining that over-burdensome system can help reduce costs to ratepayers. In addition, securing new and affordable energy sources should be a priority of the commission.

Campaign finance: public.

Republican

Arizona since: 1962.

Occupation: President, BGM Investments, Inc., since 1978; bd of directors, Central Arizona Water Conservation District 2001-2002.

Marital: Married (Gayle, executive).

Children: 2.

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: No degree, algebra & physics studies, Glendale Community College; no degree, in-house computer programming training, General Electric Process Control Division.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman, deputy registrar, legislative district chairman.

Legis exp: Senate 2003-2010, Senate president 2009-2010; House 1988-2000.

Memberships: Child Care Owner/Operators Assn, Chamber of Commerce (AZ, cities where businesses were located) Glendale Kachina Rotary, West Valley Recreation Corridor Bd of Directors, WestMarc Bd of Directors, NFIB.

Interests: Long distant bike riding, travel, hunting with sons and grandsons, golf.

Political influence: I have had the opportunity to work with numerous, dedicated, very intelligent individuals serving as elected officials and as support staff in numerous capacities throughout my political service.

Background & experience: Over 20 years of owner/operator management of five child care preschools, overlapping with 22 years of elected service in the Legislature and on the Central Arizona Water Conservation Board of Directors. A total of 16 years in legislative leadership as Appropriation Committee chair and Arizona Senate President.

Top priority: Being able to determine the proper balance when setting utility rates to assure an uninterrupted, dependable supply of utility services as cost effectively as possible.

Role of Legislature: That line has been drawn by the courts and any significant changes will, in all probability, include the courts in the future.

Privatization: Any entity the size of the Corporation Commission should be constantly evaluated for improvements in its service to the public. My evaluation would begin if and when I am elected. Any changes must be sensitive to public safety and have a constant goal of improved overall service.

Control costs: All actions of the Corporation Commission are designed to control utility costs. The various systems are very large and complex and affordable utilities costs must be balanced with the resources to assure well maintained efficiently operating infrastructures. A major breakdown in any of the utility systems could cause serious economic and quality of life problems for large segments of Arizona’s population.

Campaign finance: public.

Republican

Arizona since: 1995.

Occupation: Corporation commissioner since 2008; Realtor, West USA, 2005; Realtor, John Hall & Assoc, 2001-04; assistant editor, Biblical Archeology Review, 1999; research assistant to author and George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum, Manhattan Institute; reporter, The Weekly Standard, 1997; aid to Fred Barnes and William Kristol, 1997; instructor, Tokai University, 1994.

Marital: Single.

Religious preference: Episcopalian.

Education: M.T.S., Harvard University, 1997; B.A., University of California at Berkeley, 1993.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman; worked on more than a dozen Republican campaigns, speechwriter for GOP candidates and officeholders.

Legis exp: House 2003-2008.

Memberships: West Valley Symphony Bd of Trustees; Alzheimer’s Assn; American Legislative Exchange Council Task Force on Healthcare Public Policy; co-chair, Arrowhead Young Republicans; American Brahms Society; Nat’l Press Club; Caledonian Society; founder and chair, West Valley Republican Issues Forum, first vice-chair and Southern regional director, AZ Young Republican League; Downtown Phoenix Young Republicans.

Interests: Music, travel, American history, reading, skiing.

Issues: Did not respond.

Campaign finance: public.