Clean Energy Team Wins Control of Salt River Project in Unprecedented Arizona Election

Arizona voters delivered a surprising verdict in one of the state's most unusual elections, with climate and clean energy activists winning control of the Salt River Project's power board for the first time in decades.

The April 7 election drew hundreds of voters to the SRP voting center in Tempe, with lines stretching around the block. Early voting was three times higher than in 2024, according to SRP data, as national groups including Turning Point Action and the Jane Fonda Climate PAC poured attention onto the race.

A Historic Shift in Utility Control

The preliminary results show that the Clean Energy Team candidates have secured a majority on the utility's 14-member power board, doubling their representation on the utility's advisory councils as well.

The activist contingent will control eight of 14 seats on the power board, up from six. On the water board, which operates under a separate 10-seat structure entirely based on acreage-based voting, traditional incumbents Chris Dobson and Barry Paceley retained the presidency and vice presidency respectively.

The new slate also flipped two critical district seats:

• 4th District: Ken Clark, a Clean Energy candidate
• 6th District: Lupe Conchas, a Clean Energy candidate

These victories give the climate coalition majority control of the board's even-numbered seats and advisory council representation. The advisory council will have eight of 30 seats under the new configuration, up from four.

A Race Defined by Polarization

The election became a lightning rod for national political battles over energy policy. Turning Point Action, the conservative action organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, campaigned heavily for traditional SRP candidates who favor maintaining the status quo on energy generation.

The group's involvement was unmistakable at the polling place. On election day, volunteers distributed white t-shirts labeled "FREEDOM" — replicas of the shirt Charlie Kirk wore during his final campaign appearances. Music played from speakers set up at a tent where Turning Point distributed campaign materials.

"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.

The Bizarre Mechanics of SRP Voting

SRP elections operate under an archaic system that sets them apart from traditional American democracy. The election is open only to property owners within the SRP service area, and each voter's influence is determined by how many acres of land they own.

A landowner with 20 acres receives 20 votes in the election. This acreage-based voting model has historically favored large landowners and utility incumbents. The water board, which governs SRP's water supply, operates entirely under this system.

"SRP elections traditionally have been sleepy contests, but this year's races saw unprecedented political spending and surging turnout," wrote Laura Gersony of The Arizona Republic.

Despite the polarizing nature of the race, the utility received roughly 36,000 ballots this year, about four times the number of voters who participated in 2024. The final voter was cast at nearly 11 p.m., with staff working late into the night to tally results.

What's at Stake for Arizona

Who controls SRP determines fundamental questions about Arizona's energy and water future. The utility serves approximately 1.1 million customers across Arizona, setting electricity rates and managing water supply for the Phoenix metropolitan area and beyond.

SRP has announced plans to double its power capacity over the next decade to accommodate growing demands from data centers, semiconductor factories, and residential customers. The new majority on the power board will shape decisions about:

• Clean energy generation and renewable power investments
• Rate structures and affordability measures
• Water allocation and conservation strategies
• Infrastructure modernization and reliability

The board's decisions will directly impact Arizona's climate goals, utility costs for millions of residents, and the state's ability to attract and retain major industries.

A Cautionary Note from Incumbents

Barry Paceley, the board vice president-elect representing traditional SRP leadership, expressed disappointment over the results while acknowledging the shift in voter sentiment.

"We will strive to keep the most affordable rates, highest reliability, and seek the most economic and clean energy generation," Paceley wrote in a statement. "We are saddened that several of our highly qualified candidates were not elected who would've been instrumental in the future success of Salt River Project."

Turning Point Action's Tyler Bowyer characterized the outcome as a "HUGE VICTORY" and claimed the clean energy advocates "lost where they thought they would win and don't have total control of SRP as they had hoped."

Results Still Being Counted

Official results will not be declared until the SRP boards complete their canvass on April 13. The current figures remain preliminary and subject to final verification.

The election has drawn national attention and sparked debates about how Arizona's public utilities should be governed. The outcome represents a significant moment in Arizona's political history, marking a shift in control of a critical piece of state infrastructure.

The new majority's first decisions will come in the coming months as they establish their agenda for the utility. Their approach to clean energy, rates, and water management will shape Arizona's energy landscape for years to come.