Clean Energy Team Wins Control of Salt River Project After Turning Point Campaign Backfires

PHOENIX — Proponents of renewable energy have gained control of Arizona's largest public utility for the first time, flipping a majority of board seats in a race that became a national flashpoint after Turning Point USA got involved.

The Clean Energy Team, a coalition of climate activists who campaigned on renewable power and energy efficiency, won 11 of 13 head-to-head races against candidates backed by Turning Point Action, the political arm of the conservative organization founded by Charlie Kirk.

"Starting when we're sworn in, S.R.P. will be the largest utility in the country with a majority vote of clean energy supporters," said Ken Clark, one of the Clean Energy Team's newly elected candidates representing north-central Phoenix. "There has been a pent-up demand, especially in Arizona, for people to have their energy freedom, to have solar panels, batteries and more energy-efficient measures."

SRP serves about 1.1 million power customers across metropolitan Phoenix and delivers both electricity and water to the region. The utility is not-for-profit with no investors, and its elected boards work with management to establish policy and determine rates.

Turning Point's Massive Investment Mostly Wasted

Turning Point Action poured money and resources into a pro-industry slate of candidates, hoping to defend against what they characterized as a progressive takeover attempt. The organization even sent employees and volunteers to harvest ballots — a legal practice in SRP elections — in an effort to maximize turnout for their candidates.

The group claimed a "HUGE VICTORY" on social media after the election, pointing to two key wins: Chris Dobson and Barry Paceley, both Turning Point-backed candidates, won the positions of board president and board vice president, respectively.

However, those top positions did not translate to control of the governing boards. The Clean Energy Team flipped two seats on the 14-member district power board, shifting the balance from six to eight seats in favor of clean energy supporters.

"Complete botch job by Turning Point Action, losing majority of SRP board seats to leftists," tweeted Maricopa County Supervisor Thomas Galvin, a more traditional Republican who also favored the pro-industry slate.

Record Turnout Fueled by Partisan Branding

SRP received roughly 36,000 ballots this year, spokesperson Jennifer Schuricht said. That's about four times the total number of voters who participated in 2024.

The surge in participation came despite the fact that SRP elections traditionally have been low-turnout affairs held separately from other state and local races. This year's contest became unusually high-profile because of Turning Point's involvement.

Some candidates said Turning Point's brand was polarizing. The organization's leader, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated last year after wearing a shirt bearing his name, and Turning Point volunteers at polling locations distributed white t-shirts labeled "FREEDOM" — replicas of that shirt.

"I'm glad we're not going California," said voter Jerod King, 43, of Laveen, who came out to support the Turning Point-backed ticket.

What the Results Mean for Arizona

The new board composition will give the Clean Energy Team control over policy decisions affecting energy rates and renewable energy investment. The utility's advisory councils also saw significant gains, with the climate coalition gaining control of eight of 30 seats on the power advisory council, up from four.

SRP's traditional leadership will still control six of 10 seats on the water board, which is entirely acreage-based and therefore different from the power board elections.

Results will become official after a canvass by the SRP boards on April 13. The newly elected officials will take office on May 4 and 5.

National Implications

Observers noted that Turning Point's losses could be troubling for the organization as it approaches the crucial midterm election in November. The group had positioned the SRP race as a dry run for its efforts to win the Arizona governorship for GOP Rep. Andy Biggs, a MAGA election denier who is looking to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.

"Democrats had told donors this was the inevitable year they would win President and Vice President of SRP and control the agenda," wrote Turning Point Action COO Tyler Bowyer on social media. "They failed massively with a huge turnout. (More than 4x the normal turnout) Ballot chasing works!"

The losses for Turning Point, despite the massive investment of money and effort, could be a troubling bellwether for both Republicans and Turning Point itself. Earlier this week, Democrats picked up another seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, despite efforts by Turning Point in that state.

About Salt River Project

SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit utility that powers much of the Phoenix valley and delivers water to the region. The utility has about 1.1 million power customers in metro Phoenix and serves an additional 600,000 water customers across the region.

The Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District governs electricity and sets energy rates, while the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association manages water services. Both organizations have elected boards that work with management to establish policies.

The utility has no shareholders or investors, and its elected boards are responsible for setting rates and policy direction that affects millions of residents across Arizona.