Carolyn McCorkle
The Sun Lakes Republican Club will feature “Energy and Elections 2026” at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Navajo Room of Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. The public is invited to hear presentations from all four of the Republican candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and from State Senator J.D. Mesnard and State Representative Julie Willoughby. Our mission is “Promoting an Informed Electorate Through Education.” Light desserts will be available to enhance your evening’s enjoyment.
Our Legislative District 13 State Senator J.D. Mesnard will kick off the meeting with a legislative update on important bills under consideration, as well as a preview of referendums to the November ballot due to Katie Hobbs’ vetoes of nearly 400 bills, as this article goes to press. At present, one concern is that taxpayers may have to file their taxes twice due to Hobbs’ veto of two tax conformity bills that were designed to align Arizona state tax filings with federal tax filing requirements. None of us wants to have to file an amended tax return! Since Senator Mesnard’s term will be expiring due to term limits, he is a candidate for San Marcos Justice of the Peace.
Our Legislative District 13 Representative Julie Willoughby, who is also serving us well as the House Majority Whip, is a candidate for State Senator Mesnard’s seat. She is running unopposed in the Senate Primary. Representative Willoughby will provide us with her assessment of the remainder of the current legislative session and important energy issues.
Two of the five seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission are up for election in 2026, and four candidates will be running in the Republican primary. There are two incumbents and two challengers. Current Corporation Commission Chairman Nick Myers and immediate past Commission Chair Kevin Thompson will be presenting their past record of service and reviewing future plans for the board. Dr. Ralph Heap, Representative in District 10, and David Marshall, Sr., Representative in District 7, are also candidates for the ACC.
Chair Nick Myers was elected to the ACC in 2022, bringing a background in software engineering, entrepreneurship, and regulatory advocacy following a dispute with a utility company. Kevin Thompson has a mechanical engineering degree, with over 25 years of utility, regulatory, and public service experience. He joined the ACC in January of 2023. Dr. Ralph Heap is a retired orthopedic surgeon. As an ACC candidate, he emphasizes protecting ratepayers, opposing unnecessary utility rate hikes, defending rural communities, and resisting California-style energy policies. Former police officer David Marshall, Sr., launched a safe house for battered women, operating the ministry for seven years, and in 2005 he became the pastor of Calvary Chapel Snowflake where he continues while serving in the Arizona House since 2022.
Please join us for what promises to be another jam-packed meeting! For more information, visit our website at www.SunLakesRepublicanClub.org or contact Mike Tennant at 262-880-4620.