The utility-regulating Arizona Corporation Commission kicked off its new year by swearing in three members in a feel-good session marked by a lack of political rancor.
With no Democrats now among its five members, the all-Republican commission quickly passed three motions with no dissenting votes — one an affirmation of its code of ethics, another confirming Kevin Thompson as its new chairman on a nomination by Nick Myers, and the third confirming Myers to a new role as vice chairman in a nomination by Thompson.
The sole outgoing Democrat, Anna Tovar, did not seek re-election and had been censured by the commission in December. She declined to attend the swearing-in session and canceled an opportunity to provide comment. She earlier had told the Arizona Republic that her censure was the result of a “political witch hunt” by a group she labeled as partisan .
She was chastised by the commission in November for leaking confidential information during a closed session. The commission referred the matter, which largely involved Tovar disclosing a $20,000 one-time bonus for Executive Director Doug Clark, to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.