Corporation Commission

Arizona Corporation Commission Candidates

Ylenia
Aguilar

Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Jonathon
Hill

Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Rene
Lopez

Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Lea
Marquez-Peterson

(Incumbent)
Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Joshua
Polacheck

Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Rachel
Walden

Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

(All candidates are listed in alphabetical order)

Endorsement Process

To be considered for an official endorsement from the Chandler Chamber, candidates must have completed both steps of the endorsement process.

Part 1 - Candidate Questionnaire: Candidates seeking endorsement received a preliminary questionnaire to gather essential information about their campaign, platform, and background.

Part 2 - Candidate Endorsement Interview: Qualified candidates who have completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in an endorsement interview.

Part 1:
Candidate Questionnaire

Candidates seeking endorsement will receive a preliminary questionnaire to gather essential information about their campaign, platform, and background. A select group of business leaders will thoroughly review the responses to ensure a complete understanding of each candidate's stance and priorities.

To view each candidates' response, click the plus button to the right of each question.

All candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Q1: What inspired you to run for office?

Ylenia Aguilar, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I am running for corporation commission to ensure that everyday Arizonans feel there is transparency and accountability in the government responsible for setting the prices of essential services. As a single parent making sure to have access to affordable energy is essential in the summer months here. Arizona continues to face unprecedented rate increases in utility bills. This financial pressure affects families, small businesses, and everyday Arizonans.

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Jonathon Hill, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I’m running because I have always strongly believed that more people with STEM backgrounds should run for public office. This is especially true for the Corporation Commission, which is responsible for regulating our state’s power, water, gas and railroad grids, which are essentially giant engineering projects. I believe the Commission needs at least some Commissioners with engineering and/or science backgrounds in order to challenge the utility companies on the technical aspects of their rate increase requests and ensure that Arizona’s utility grids are safe, reliable and secure.

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Rene Lopez, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I was raised with a heart for service. Serving those rescued from Sex-trafficking by co-founding Cece’s Hope Center, sacrificing for my country in the Navy as a cryptologic officer, and representing my city on the Chandler City Council, I wish to continue to serve. After terming out on the Council, I wanted to do more of my fellow Arizona residents by representing them on the Arizona Corporation Commission. With my extensive education, background and experience in Energy, Water, and overseeing the 4th largest water district in Arizona, and billion-dollar budgets with the city, I believe I am well suited to represent rate payers and business on the commission.

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Lea Marquez-Peterson (Incumbent), Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I served as the President/CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber (THCC) for almost ten years after operating as a small business owner for the previous decade. The THCC serves the bilingual and bicultural region in Southern Arizona and at my time of service had over 1800 member businesses and was recognized as the national Hispanic Chamber of the Year in 2013. We were strategic partners with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and I served on their Board of Directors. I was inspired to run for office as I worked frequently with local, state and federal public officials as a Chamber President to advocate for issues that impacted our business community. I enjoyed tackling these challenges to better our region which led me to run for Congress in CD2 in 2017. I was blessed to win my primary but lost the general election. I was honored to be selected by the Governor for appointment to the ACC and ran statewide in 2020 to retain my position. I value and enjoy my role as a public servant and engage frequently with groups, and individuals across the state. I am the past Chairwoman of the Commission and volunteer for several industry boards to improve the electric, water and nuclear industries in Arizona. I communicate frequently with Arizona ratepayers via videos, newsletters and speaking opportunities. I would be honored to continue my role and fight for energy reliability at the most affordable rates!

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Joshua Polacheck, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

(Did not participate)

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Rachel Walden, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

We are in a fight to keep our nation free for the rising generation. They deserve to grow up and inherit the freedoms and value system that have defined America. We need good leaders to stand up who are willing to defend the Constitution and stop government overreach.

Q2: How do you perceive the role of government, & what is your top priority?

Ylenia Aguilar, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Government should be seen as a tool for citizens to have more power. A top priority of mine is consumer protection to make sure that Arizona ratepayers for energy have affordable rates. I want to be a commissioner who is focused on keeping your air conditioning bill as low as possible.

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Jonathon Hill, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

Balancing the cost-of-living concerns of ratepayers and the financial needs of our utility companies is the most important role of the Arizona Corporation Commission. The utility companies must have access to the funds needed to properly maintain and modernize our power plants and transmission lines, but ratepayers cannot and should not be expected to shoulder more than their fair share of the burden. We have to remember that BOTH ratepayers and the utility companies must remain financially healthy in order for Arizona to prosper in the 21st century. The ACC is responsible for making many critical technical decisions, such as where power plants and transmission lines can be built and whether water companies have sufficient groundwater resources to provide for their current and future customers. Commissioners need to have the training and experience to properly evaluate the different options and make the best possible decisions.

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Rene Lopez, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

The role of government is to work in partnership with those they represent to lead their respective community to a more prosperous future. Each branch, and level of government has different priorities and limitations as set forth by each governing document such as constitution or charter.

My top priority is to 1) address the continued declining base load occurring within Arizona that is being replaced with more costly generation, and to 2) educate and partner with state legislators and federal partners to ensure Arizona is well positioned for the forthcoming redressal of the Colorado Water compact that expires in 2026.

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Lea Marquez-Peterson (Incumbent), Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

My highest priority is the health and safety of Arizonans. That’s why I work diligently for energy reliability. Without electricity in Arizona in our hottest months, we would see citizens’ lives impacted which could lead to health concerns. I am proud to have voted to require electric utilities to have a disconnection moratorium during the hot months from June 1 to October 15th. I’ve also worked with our utilities during our summer preparedness workshops and Energy reliability summits to ensure we have the energy load on the grid to serve the growing demand we are seeing across the state. I am the Vice-Chair of WIRAB which focuses on the interconnection of our utilities across the west coast for energy reliability. We discuss the collaboration needed across the western region and the diversity of energy sources that are available to each state. I also led emergency meetings following California’s rolling blackouts in 2019 to ensure that Arizona ratepayers were not affected. The ACC also regulates more than 350 private water utilities primarily in rural Arizona. Public health and safety is of the utmost importance as people ingest the water and it is used on agriculture and irrigation in their communities. The Commission’s role is constitutional and is necessary as we regulate monopolies in electric, water, gas and wastewater among other important duties.

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Joshua Polacheck, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

(Did not participate)

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Rachel Walden, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

The role of all governments is to uphold the inalienable rights of the people. Government should be limited to this mission. My top priority is to eliminate government subsidies and mandates, which have increased the cost of utilities for Arizonans.

Q3: If elected, how would you embody the values of the Chandler Chamber?

Ylenia Aguilar, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

If elected I would value the needs of Arizona business leaders to make sure that they are the best equipped in being successful in today’s marketplace. Making sure they have all the tools for professional development. I would also make sure to welcome opposing viewpoints as I value diversity of opinion in my decision-making process. I will make sure to protect and fight for Arizona Business at the state and local level.

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Jonathon Hill, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

If elected to the Corporation Commission, I will look to organizations like the Chandler Chamber to better understand the impact of utility prices and quality of service issues on Arizona’s business community. I also share the Chandler Chamber Community Foundation’s dedication to education and scholarship programs, without which Arizona’s businesses wouldn’t have access to the high-quality and well-trained employees that they need to succeed. Although the ACC does not have direct influence over educational issues, I would certainly use the position to continue advocating for education and leadership development programs across the state.

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Rene Lopez, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

The ACC role is oversight of private utilities. I have always ensured that businesses in Chandler viewed me as a partner and advocated to ensure that the government is there to enable and assist businesses in growth and increased value to our community. I will take my experiences and willingness to fight for businesses in all of Arizona to continue to grow and thrive by maintaining Arizona as one of the lowest costs of energy states in the country.

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Lea Marquez-Peterson (Incumbent), Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

As a Commissioner for the past five years, I have worked to engage with Chambers of Commerce and their leadership across the state as the ACC handles rate cases and policy changes for more than 400 utilities in the communities they serve. Business advocacy is a key value of the Chandler Chamber and engagement and communication with elected officials is important to the current and future success of the Chamber’s members. If re-elected to the Commission, I will continue to reach out to Chambers and other business organizations to educate their members on the utility rate making process and the state of energy in Arizona. As a past Chamber President, I know firsthand how important it is to educate the members on the role of public officials and to make introductions. I also know how important it is to stay up to date on key issues that impact member businesses.

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Joshua Polacheck, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

(Did not participate)

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Rachel Walden, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

The private sector should be allowed to operate according to the principles of the free market and supply and demand, unencumbered by government regulations that limit opportunity or create unnecessary administrative burden and cost.

Q4: How will the Chandler Chamber’s endorsement help you in the race?

Ylenia Aguilar, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

The Chandler Chamber would help me because it would show my commitment towards empowering local business leaders here in the Valley. I want to make sure that voters have someone on their side that will protect their businesses and make it easier to start one here in Arizona. Being a self-employed person myself I understand that any resource big or small makes a huge difference on your ability to scale and be competitive in today’s market.

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Jonathon Hill, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I hope to earn the Chamber’s endorsement because I want to earn the trust of the residents of Chandler and business-owners across Arizona. I believe that your organization’s endorsement would also offer the chance to help raise exposure for the crucial, but under-recognized, role of the Arizona Corporation Commission and allow voters to learn more about my values and qualifications.

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Rene Lopez, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

It will help provide credibility with businesses and other Chamber of commerce’s around the state to show I have the confidence and support of the second largest Chamber of commerce in the state.

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Lea Marquez-Peterson (Incumbent), Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I would be honored to receive the endorsement of the Chandler Chamber. As a former Chamber President, I’ve known Terri Kimble for many years and the Chandler Chamber is considered one of the best in the state. The endorsement and support by the Chandler Chamber would be very meaningful to me. Additionally, the City of Chandler has a reputation for being a pro-business, vibrant community. I will proudly promote that I received the Chandler Chamber endorsement if I am blessed to receive it.

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Joshua Polacheck, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

(Did not participate)

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Rachel Walden, Candidate for Arizona Corporation Commission

I have been endorsed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. An endorsement by the Chandler Chamber will help to increase my visibility in the city.

Part 2:
Candidate Endorsement Interview

Qualified candidates who have completed the questionnaire will be invited to participate in an endorsement interview. These interviews offer candidates the opportunity to articulate their platform, qualifications, and vision directly to the Chandler Chamber. Recordings of these interviews will be shared on Chandler Chamber platforms for the benefit of Chamber members and the general public. A second select group of business leaders will review the recorded interviews to provide diverse perspectives on each candidate's suitability for endorsement.

All candidates are listed in alphabetical order.