By Jeremy Duda | Arizona Mirror
Two Republicans have filed to run as write-in candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission, but face a difficult path as they seek to ensure that the GOP doesn’t concede a seat on the powerful regulatory body to the Democrats.
The Arizona Supreme Court last week ruled that candidate Kim Owens didn’t have enough valid signatures to appear on the ballot for the Aug. 4 primary election. Owens was one of four Republican candidates kept off the ballot due to lawsuits that challenged their nominating petitions, leaving the GOP with only two candidates for three seats that are up for election in November.
Democrats were already hopeful they could win a seat, or possibly even two, which would give them control of the five-member commission. If the GOP can’t get a third candidate on the ballot for the general election, the Democrats would be assured at least one pickup.