In her bid to join the Louisiana Public Service Commission, state Rep.Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans, has received more than $137,000 in campaign contributions from people and groups connected to some of the very companies that she would be in charge of regulating if elected.
Hilferty, a Republican, is the likely frontrunner in the race to represent the Public Service Commission’s District 1, which includes parts of the Greater New Orleans area. Her opponents include Democrat Connie Norris and independent Chris Justin. Republican John Atkins is running against Democrat James Green for District 5, which represents Northern Louisiana.
The contributions come as the Public Service Commission — which regulates electric, water and gas companies, as well as common carriers — has been at the center of high-stakes decisions over the buildout of power-hungry AI data centers around the state…