Eddie Cook, a Gilbert Town Council member, last week filed the paperwork to run for a seat on the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Cook, a Republican, has served on the Gilbert council since 2011. He has worked with water groups and has an engineering degree from Arizona State University, according to his bio on Gilbert’s website.

He is active in the GOP, having served as a precinct committeeman and on the executive board of political districts.

Cook is on the radar of multiple utilities.

In 2011, the Cox Arizona PAC for Effective Leadership gave Cook’s campaign $500. During his bid for reelection in 2014, Cook’s campaign received $100 from the Southwest Gas PAC and $500 from Pinnacle West PAC.

Calls and emails to Cook were not immediately returned on Monday.

Three seats on the commission are up for grabs in 2016, but no three-person slate has emerged at this point.

Commissioner Bob Burns is running for reelection. Rep. Rick Gray, R-Sun City, has also filed the paperwork to run and is teamed up with Burns. Former Sen. Al Melvin of Tucson is also running.

Commissioner Susan Bitter Smith Prior was officially seeking reelection prior to her decision to resign, and it’s not clear whether the beleaguered commissioner will still pursue those plans. Bitter Smith, who is accused of violating the state’s conflict of interest laws, will step out of the commission on Jan. 4.

Meanwhile, a handful of people have reached out to Gov. Doug Ducey and expressed interest in replacing Bitter Smith. They include former legislator Lori Klein Corbin, Carefree Mayor Les Peterson, railroad lobbyist Zoe Richmond, former Sedona Mayor Alan Everett, and Lakeside resident Larry Consolver, who said he has no government connections.

Melvin earlier told the Arizona Capitol Times that he, too, is interested in the appointment.