Ten states held public service commission elections in 2016 for a total of 17 seats.
HIGHLIGHTS
Public service commissions regulate utilities such as energy, telecommunications, and water.
Republicans held a majority of seats on the commissions in all but one of the states that held commissioner elections in 2016.Louisiana was the only state where party control of the commission had the potential to change in 2016. However, the balance of power can still shift in a number of states.Many of these seats were uncontested in 2016. Three incumbent commissioners did not face any challengers in the 2016 cycle. Six incumbents had a primary challenger, but they did not have general election challengers.
Click on a state flag to jump to election details:
Partisan analysis
In 36 states, the role of commissioner is nonpartisan. Commissioners may be privately affiliated with a political party, but their role on the commission is nonpartisan.
In all 11 states where commissioners are elected, voters select commissioners in partisan races where the candidates' affiliations are publicly known. Of these 11 commissions, Republicans have a majority of the seats on 9, and Democrats have a majority of the seats on 2.
In three states, governors can select commissioners on a partisan basis: Illinois, Ohio, and Oregon. In each of these states, commissioners are allowed to have a public, partisan affiliation; however, the commission itself must act on a nonpartisan basis and each state limits the number of commissioners that can be members of any given party. Nonetheless, these states have been included as partisan in the table because state law explicitly acknowledges the possibility for partisanship.
Partisan control of Public Service Commissioners
2016
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Democratic majority
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Republican majority
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Tie
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Nonpartisan
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| Before 2016 elections
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3
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9
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2
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36
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Partisanship in the 2016 elections
Going into the 2016 elections, Republicans controlled a majority of the commissions for which elections were held. Louisiana was the only state in which Republicans could have potentially lost control of the commission. In every other state, incumbents were either running unopposed or there were not enough seats up for election to affect partisan control. However, in some of these states, it was possible for the minority party to gain seats on the commission.
2016 elections
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (major parties):
November 6, 2015
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Filing deadline (third parties and independents):
March 1, 2016
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Primary date:
March 1, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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| Click [show] to see a list of candidates who were defeated in the primary elections. | |
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| Terry Dunn (R)- Former member of the Alabama Public Service Commission |
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General election
Incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh ran unopposed in the Alabama public service commission election.
Primary elections
Republican
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (major parties):
June 1, 2016
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Primary date:
August 30, 2016
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Filing deadline (write-ins):
September 29, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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| Click [show] to see candidates who were defeated in the primary elections. | |
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Rick Gray (R)
Most recent position: State Rep. since 2011
Past experience: Small business owner, real estate agent
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Al Melvin (R)
Most recent position: Adjunct lecturer, University of Arizona
Past experience: State Sen., 2009-2005; U.S. Naval Captain
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General election
Incumbent Robert Burns, incumbent Andy Tobin, and Boyd Dunn defeated William Mundell and Tom Chabin in the Arizona corporation commission election.
| Arizona Corporation Commission, 2016 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | |
Republican |
 Robert Burns Incumbent |
22.28% |
806,047 | | |
Republican |
Andy Tobin Incumbent |
20.61% |
745,843 | | |
Republican |
Boyd Dunn |
19.43% |
703,160 | | |
Democratic |
William Mundell |
19.12% |
691,831 | | |
Democratic |
Tom Chabin |
18.56% |
671,374 | | Total Votes |
3,618,255 |
| Source: KNXV |
Primary elections
Democratic primary election
Tom Chabin and William Mundell were unopposed in the Democratic primary for corporation commissioner.
Republican primary election
Incumbent Robert Burns, incumbent Andy Tobin and Boyd Dunn defeated Rick Gray and Al Melvin in the Republican primary for corporation commissioner.
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (major parties):
March 11, 2016
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Primary date:
May 24, 2016
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Filing deadline (third parties and independents):
July 1, 2016
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Filing deadline (write-ins):
September 6, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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District 2
Tim Echols (R)
Incumbent public service commissioner
| Click [show] to see candidates defeated in the primary elections. | |
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Kellie Austin (R)
Most recent position: Consultant
Past experience: Campaign consultant and adviser[1]
Austin's website highlighted a "common sense approach to energy," opposing federal government overreach and advocating for reduced energy costs for families, energy opportunities for businesses, and increased transparency of the public services commission. She has specifically called to make every vote of the commission searchable online and every meeting is streamed live.[2][3]
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Michelle Miller (R)
Most recent position: Consultant
Past experience: Penn State University ambassador[1]
On her campaign website, Miller called for building effective partnerships, making the public service commission more transparent, developing educational and energy savings initiatives, and providing mentorship to Georgia's youth.[4]
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{{#Georgia Public Service Commission election, 2016|results}}
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Key election dates
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Filing date:
July 22, 2016
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Primary date:
November 8, 2016
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General election date:
December 10, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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District 3
District 4
Mary Werner (D)
Most recent position: Director, Sweet Lake Land & Oil Company
Past experience: Director of several volunteer and nonprofit organizations
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Mike Francis (R)
Most recent position: CEO, Francis Drilling Fluids
Past experience: Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party
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Reldon Owens (R)
Most recent position: Director of external relations, Diamond B Construction Co., LLC
Past experience: Unknown
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| Click show to view candidates who withdrew from the race. | |
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| Click show to view candidates who declined to run. | |
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Incumbent Lambert Boissiere, III ran unopposed in the Louisiana public service commission, District 3 election.
Mike Francis defeated Mary Werner and Reldon Owens in the Louisiana public service commission, District 4 election.
About the office
- See also: Louisiana Public Service Commission
The Louisiana Public Service Commission is a five-member executive board in the Louisiana state government. The commission was originally established by the Louisiana Constitution of 1921. It succeeded the Railroad Commission of 1898.[5]
Pre-election officeholders
The Louisiana Public Service Commission includes the following members:[6]
Authority
Article 4, Section 21 A(1) of the Louisiana Constitution establishes a Public Service Commission, headed by the chair, which is selected by the commission:
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| There shall be a Public Service Commission in the executive branch. It shall consist of five members, who shall be elected for overlapping terms of six years at the time fixed for congressional elections from single member districts established by law. The commission annually shall elect one member as chairman...[7]
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Elections
Commissioners serve overlapping six-year terms and are elected the same time as congressional elections.[7]
Past elections
2014
- See also: Louisiana down ballot state executive elections, 2014
District 1
| Public Service Commissioner of Louisiana, District 1 General Election, 2014 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
| |
Republican |
Eric Skrmetta Incumbent |
50.8% |
120,032 |
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Republican |
Forest Wright |
49.2% |
116,042 |
| Total Votes |
236,074 |
| Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State Vote totals above are unofficial and reflect 100% precincts reporting. |
District 5
2012
Scott Angelle (R) defeated four opponents in the primary election on November 6, 2012. He earned over 57 percent of the vote, which qualified him to bypass the general election on December 8th.
| Louisiana Public Service Commission Primary Election, 2012 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes |
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Republican |
Scott Angelle |
57.2% |
213,485 |
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Democratic |
Forest Wright |
20.5% |
76,336 |
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Republican |
Erich Ponti |
11.6% |
43,287 |
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Republican |
Sarah Holliday |
7.6% |
28,214 |
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Independent |
Greg Gaubert |
3.2% |
11,758 |
| Total Votes |
373,080 |
| Election results via Louisiana Secretary of State |
Term limits
Article 4, Section 21 A(2) of the Louisiana Constitution establishes term limits for commissioners:
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| No person who has served as a member of the commission for more than two and one-half terms in three consecutive terms shall be elected to the commission for the succeeding term...[7]
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Duties
Article 4, Section 21 B of the Louisiana Constitution outlines the powers and duties of the commission:
- Regulate all common carriers and public utilities and have such other regulatory authority as provided by law.
- Adopt and enforce reasonable rules, regulations and procedures necessary for the discharge of its duties, and shall have other powers and perform other duties as provided by law.[7]
 Click here to view a larger-scale image of the Louisiana PSC Organizational Chart as of March 2013. State budget
- See also: Louisiana state budget and finances
The Public Service Commission's budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 was $9,295,852.[8]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2014
In 2014, the commissioners were paid an estimated $130,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2013
In 2013, the commissioners were paid an estimated $130,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2010
In 2010, the commissioners were paid an estimated $130,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
State profile
 Louisiana's population in 2014 was 4,649,676. According to the United States Census Bureau, Louisiana's population was 4,649,676 in 2014. This estimate represented a 2.6 percent increase from the Bureau's 2010 estimate. The state's population per square mile was 104.9 in 2010, exceeding the national average of 87.4.
Louisiana experienced a 1.7 percent increase in total employment from 2011 to 2012, falling below the 2.2 percent increase at the national level during the same period.[12]
Demographics
Louisiana fell below the national average for residents who attained at least bachelor's degrees, according to data from 2009 to 2013. The United States Census Bureau found that 21.8 percent of Louisiana residents ages 25 and older attained bachelor's degrees, compared to 28.8 percent at the national level.
The median household income in Louisiana was $44,874 between 2009 and 2013, compared to a $53,046 national median income. Census information showed a 19.8 percent poverty rate in Louisiana during the study period, while the national poverty rate was 14.5 percent.[12] To expand the boxes below, click [show] on the right side of each box.
| Racial Demographics, 2013[12]
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| Race
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Louisiana (%)
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United States (%)
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| White |
63.5 |
77.7
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| Black or African American |
32.4 |
13.2
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| American Indian and Alaska Native |
0.8 |
1.2
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| Asian |
1.7 |
5.3
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| Two or More Races |
1.5 |
2.4
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| Hispanic or Latino |
4.7 |
17.1
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| Presidential Voting Pattern, 2000-2012[13][14]
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| Year
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Democratic vote in Louisiana (%)
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Republican vote in Louisiana (%)
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Democratic vote in U.S. (%)
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Republican vote in U.S. (%)
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| 2012 |
40.6 |
57.8 |
51.1 |
47.2
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| 2008 |
39.9 |
58.6 |
52.9 |
45.7
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| 2004 |
42.2 |
56.7 |
48.3 |
50.7
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| 2000 |
44.9 |
52.6 |
48.4 |
47.9
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Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Election 2016. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
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Louisiana government:
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Previous elections:
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Ballotpedia exclusives:
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External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Georgia Secretary of State, "Qualifying Candidate Information," accessed March 14, 2015
- ↑ Vote Kellie, "Issues," accessed May 7, 2016
- ↑ Vote Kellie, "Platform," accessed May 7, 2016
- ↑ Michelle Miller Public Service Commissioner, "Issues," accessed May 7, 2016
- ↑ Louisiana Public Service Commission, "Homepage," accessed July 15, 2011
- ↑ Louisiana Public Service Commission, "Commissioners," accessed January 30, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Louisiana State Legislature, "Louisiana Constitution of 1974," accessed January 30, 2016
- ↑ State of Louisiana, "State Budget Fiscal Year 2013-2013," 73," accessed June27, 2013
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 24, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials Salaries," accessed January 23, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed June 21, 2011
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 United States Census Bureau, "QuickFacts Beta," accessed March 24, 2015
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, "Elections Results," accessed April 15, 2015
- ↑ The American Presidency Project, "Presidential Elections Data," accessed March 24, 2015
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline:
March 14, 2016
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Petition deadline (third parties and independents):
May 31, 2016
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Filing deadline (third parties and independents):
June 6, 2016
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Primary date:
June 7, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
January 2, 2017
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District 2
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District 3
District 4
| Click show to view candidates who were defeated in the primary election for District 4. | |
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District 2
General election
Tony O'Donnell ran unopposed in the Montana public service commission, District 2 election.
Primary elections
No Democrats filed to run in this district.
Tony O'Donnell defeated incumbent Kirk Bushman in the Montana Republican primary for public service commissioner, district 2.
District 3
General election
Roger Koopman defeated Pat Noonan and Caron Cooper in the Montana public service commission, District 3 election.
Primary elections
Pat Noonan ran unopposed in the Montana Democratic primary for public service commissioner, district 3.
| Montana Democratic primary for public service commissioner, district 3, 2016 |
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | Pat Noonan (unopposed) |
100.00% |
25,830 | | Total Votes (154 of 154 precincts reporting) |
25,830 |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State |
Incumbent Roger Koopman ran unopposed in the Montana Republican primary for public service commissioner, district 3.
| Montana Republican primary for public service commissioner, district 3, 2016 |
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | Roger Koopman Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% |
27,427 | | Total Votes (154 of 154 precincts reporting) |
27,427 |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State |
District 4
General election
Incumbent Bob Lake defeated Gail Gutsche in the Montana public service commission, District 4 election.
Primary elections
Gail Gutsche defeated Mark Sweeney and Lee Tavenner in the Montana Democratic primary for public service commissioner, district 4.
Incumbent Bob Lake ran unopposed in the Montana Republican primary for public service commissioner, district 4.
| Montana Republican primary for public service commissioner, district 4, 2016 |
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | Bob Lake Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% |
23,512 | | Total Votes (122 of 122 precincts reporting) |
23,512 |
| Source: Montana Secretary of State |
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (incumbents):
February 16, 2016
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Filing deadline (non-incumbents):
March 1, 2016
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Primary date:
May 10, 2016
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Filing deadline (incumbents):
July 15, 2016
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Filing deadline (non-incumbents):
August 1, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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District 4
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Tammy Cheatum (R)
Most recent position: Teacher
Past experience: Farmer
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District 5
| Click show to view candidates who were defeated in the primary | |
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Gerald Vap (R)
Most recent position: Incumbent Public Service Commissioner - District 5 (since 2001)
Past experience: Advisor to the chief of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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District 4
Rod Johnson ran unopposed in the Nebraska public service commission, District 4 election.
| Nebraska Public Service Commission District 4, 2016 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | |
Republican |
Rod Johnson (unopposed) |
100.00% |
115,546 | | Total Votes |
115,546 |
Incumbent Rod Johnson defeated Tammy Cheatum and Dakota Delka in the Republican primary for Public Service Commissioner, district 4.
District 5
Mary Ridder ran unopposed in the Nebraska public service commission, District 5 election.
| Nebraska Public Service Commission District 5, 2016 |
| Party |
Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | |
Republican |
Mary Ridder (unopposed) |
100.00% |
123,335 | | Total Votes |
123,335 |
Mary Ridder defeated incumbent Gerald Vap in the Republican primary for Public Service Commissioner, district 5.
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (pre-primary convention designation):
February 2, 2016
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Petition deadline (third parties and independents):
March 1, 2016
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Filing deadline (major parties):
March 8, 2016
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Primary date:
June 7, 2016
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Filing deadline (third parties, independents and write-ins):
June 30, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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District 1
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Bob Perls (Ind.) sought to run as an independent write-in candidate, but failed to qualify for the ballot due to an insignificant number of signatures. Perls filed a lawsuit to appear on the ballot, but later withdrew his challenge, leaving Hall as the sole candidate in the first district..[1]
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District 3
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Results
District 1
Cynthia Hall ran unopposed in the New Mexico public regulation commission, District 1 election.
Cynthia Hall defeated incumbent Karen Montoya in the New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 1.
District 3
Valerie Espinoza ran unopposed in the New Mexico public regulation commission, District 3 election.
Incumbent Valerie Espinoza ran unopposed in the New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 3.
| New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 3, 2016 |
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | Valerie Espinoza Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% |
51,124 | | Total Votes (272 of 272 precincts reporting) |
51,124 |
| Source: New Mexico Secretary of State |
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (major parties):
April 11, 2016
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Party conventions:
March 31-April 2, 2016
April 1-3, 2016
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Primary date:
June 14, 2016
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Filing deadline (independents):
September 6, 2016
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Filing deadline (write-ins):
October 18, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
December 15, 2016
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Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun (D/Democratic-Nonpartisan League)
Director, entrepreneurship center, Neuta Hidatsa Sahnish College
Results
District 1
Cynthia Hall ran unopposed in the New Mexico public regulation commission, District 1 election.
Cynthia Hall defeated incumbent Karen Montoya in the New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 1.
District 3
Valerie Espinoza ran unopposed in the New Mexico public regulation commission, District 3 election.
Incumbent Valerie Espinoza ran unopposed in the New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 3.
| New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 3, 2016 |
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | Valerie Espinoza Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% |
51,124 | | Total Votes (272 of 272 precincts reporting) |
51,124 |
| Source: New Mexico Secretary of State |
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (all candidates):
April 15, 2016
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Primary date:
June 28, 2016
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Primary runoff election:
August 23, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
TBD
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Inauguration:
TBD
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| Click [show] to view candidates who withdrew from this race. | |
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General election
Incumbent Dana Murphy ran unopposed in the Oklahoma corporation commission election.
Primary results
| Oklahoma Republican primary for corporation commissioner, 2016 |
| Candidate | | Dana Murphy Incumbent |
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| Click show to see election details | |
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Key election dates
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Filing deadline (major parties):
March 29, 2016
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Filing deadline (independents):
April 26, 2016
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Primary date:
June 7, 2016
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State conventions:
June 24, 2016
June 24, 2016
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General election date:
November 8, 2016
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Recount request deadline:
November 18, 2016
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Inauguration:
TBD
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Results
District 1
Cynthia Hall ran unopposed in the New Mexico public regulation commission, District 1 election.
Cynthia Hall defeated incumbent Karen Montoya in the New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 1.
District 3
Valerie Espinoza ran unopposed in the New Mexico public regulation commission, District 3 election.
Incumbent Valerie Espinoza ran unopposed in the New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 3.
| New Mexico Democratic primary for public regulation commissioner, district 3, 2016 |
| Candidate |
Vote % |
Votes | | Valerie Espinoza Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% |
51,124 | | Total Votes (272 of 272 precincts reporting) |
51,124 |
| Source: New Mexico Secretary of State |
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Races we watched
Each of these races had the potential to change the partisan make-up of the commissions. Many incumbents faced strong challengers either in the primary or general elections, including former commissioners looking to regain their old seats. Because 2016 was a presidential election year, increased voter turnout was expected.
Arizona
held an election for Corporation Commission on November 8, 2016.Three seats were up for election. Incumbent Commissioners Robert Burns (R) and Andy Tobin (R) won re-election; former judge Boyd Dunn (R) won the third open seat.
| HIGHLIGHTS |
| Incumbents Robert Burns (R) and Andy Tobin (R) ran for re-election in 2016. Commissioner Bob Stump (R) was ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Burns and Tobin placed first and second in the Republican primary. Boyd Dunn placed third. The three advanced to the general election. |
| Only two Democratic candidates filed, ensuring that Republicans maintained majority control of the commission regardless of the outcome of November's general election; both Democrats automatically advanced to the general election. |
| The regulation of the state's solar industry was a major issue in the 2016 election. |
| All three Republican candidates won election in 2016. |
Two seats were up for election. Louisiana was the only state in this election cycle where partisan control of the commission could have potentially changed hands.
One seat was held by an unchallenged Democratic incumbent. The other seat was held by a retiring Republican, leaving the seat open and vulnerable in November.
Louisiana held an election for public service commissioner in Districts 3 and District 4 on November 8, 2016. The winning candidates in both districts—incumbent Lambert Boissiere, III (D) in District 3 and Mike Francis (R) in District 4—received a majority of the overall votes cast, eliminating the need for a general election on December 10, 2016.
Louisiana elections use the Louisiana majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
HIGHLIGHTS
Two Republicans and one Democrat filed to run for Holloway's seat in the November blanket primary.Mike Francis won over 50 percent of the vote in the District 4 race, preventing a December run-off election and ensuring that Republicans retained their 3-2 majority on the commission.
Montana
held an election for three seats on the Public Service Commission on November 8, 2016. Districts 3 and 4 incumbents Roger Koopman (R) and Bob Lake (R) both won re-election. Republican Tony O'Donnell unseated incumbent Kirk Bushman (R) in the primary elections and went on to win the general election in District 2.
| HIGHLIGHTS |
| Districts 3 and 4 incumbents Roger Koopman (R) and Bob Lake (R) were both unopposed for their parties' nominations. |
| Former Commissioner Gail Gutsche (D) won the Democratic primary to challenge Lake, who unseated her in 2012, in the general election. |
| District 2 incumbent Kirk Bushman (R) was defeated by Tony O'Donnell (R) in the Republican primary. No Democrats filed for this race, making O'Donnell the presumptive winner of the November election. |
| Koopman and Lake both won re-election; Republicans maintained unanimous control of the commission after the general election. |
North Dakota
held an election for one seat on the Public Service Commission on November 8, 2016, with a primary on June 14. Incumbent Julie Fedorchak (R) won election to a full term.
HIGHLIGHTS
Fedorchak sought election to a full term and was unopposed in the Republican primary; one Democrat and one Libertarian will challenge her in November. All five seats on the commission are held by Republicans. With only one seat up for election, Republicans were guaranteed maintain a majority on the commission regardless of the outcome of the November election.Fedorchak won the general election on November 8, 2016.
South Dakota
held an election for one seat on the Public Utilities Commission on November 8, 2016. Incumbent Chris Nelson (R) won election to a full term.
HIGHLIGHTS
Incumbent and chairman of the commission Chris Nelson (R)—who was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2011—ran for election to a full six-year term. He won the Republican nomination at the June 25 convention.
Democrats nominated Henry Red Cloud, a solar energy entrepreneur and member of the Lakota tribe, at their June 25 convention. Prior to the 2016 election, a Democrat had not sat on the commission since 2005; with only one seat up for election, Republicans were guaranteed to maintain majority control.
Uncontested seats
The following candidates did not face a primary challenger and did not face major party opposition in the general election. They were the presumptive winners in their races:
The following candidates faced at least one primary challenger from their own party, but did not face major party opposition in the general election, and were therefore the presumptive winners:
About the office
The public service commissioner is a state-level position in all 50 states. The duties of the position vary from state to state, but their general role involves the regulation of essential utility services such as energy, telecommunications and water.
| Quick facts about Public Service Commissioners
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- A multi-person board, ranging from two to seven members
- A total of 201 commissioners across all 50 states
- Publicly elected in 11 states
- Average salary: $115,563 (in 2010)
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Elected vs. appointed commissioners
As it stands, there are three ways in which an individual is able to be selected for the office of public service commissioner: statewide elections, gubernatorial appointment or appointment by the state legislature.
In the vast majority of states, public service commissioners are appointed by the governor. In 11 states, commissioners are directly elected by the people: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. The one outlier is Virginia, where commissioners are selected by vote of the state legislature.
Past elections
2015
- See also: State executive official elections, 2015
One state was holding regularly scheduled elections for public service commissioner in 2015: Mississippi.
To view the full electoral history for public service commissioners, click [show] to expand the full section. | |
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2014
- Main article: State executive official elections, 2014
Ten states held regularly scheduled public service commissioner elections in the 2014 electoral cycle:
2013
- There were no commissioner elections in 2013.
2012
- Main article: State executive official elections, 2012
Ten states held scheduled public service commissioner elections in the 2012 electoral cycle: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Heading into the November election, Democrats held six of the seats, Republicans held 12 seats and one seat was held by an Independent. Out of 19 incumbents, 14 sought re-election in 2012. The status breakdown of the remaining five was as follows:
Following the election, nine incumbents, all Republicans, won re-election. The remaining five incumbents, all Democratic candidates, were defeated by Republican challengers. The non-incumbent races in Louisiana, Montana, and North Dakota were won by Republican candidates, while the two non-incumbent races in New Mexico were won by Democratic candidates.
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