Paul Newman, a stalwart advocate for protecting Arizona communities and an Arizona Legislator for three terms representing a district covering the counties of Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee, and the current Cochise County Supervisor for District 2, will push for significant increases in energy produced by wind and solar in the state.

"I'm the clean energy, clean elections candidate." Newman remarked. "My life of public service has been as both an advocate and a steward for a sustainable economy and environment.”

“Arizona’s treasure of sunshine is vital to establishing energy independence and ending reliance on foreign oil. Our state is capable of responding to America’s energy challenges by becoming an exporter of solar produced energy. It will make our nation stronger and our state more economically secure to supply solar energy for the American market."

As a Cochise County Supervisor, Newman successfully stopped a trash burning incinerator in Whetstone, and a coal burning power plant in Bowie. Both projects had dubious economic benefits yet posed significant environmental harm. Now in his last year of public service to Cochise County, Newman said, “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve the people of Cochise County for the past eight years. It has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my life.”

There has not been a Commissioner on the ACC hailing from southern Arizona for over two decades. Paul Newman, an Attorney, lost narrowly against Tony West in the 1998 race for an ACC seat. West was later removed from office for illegally keeping his securities license.

In light of the recent requests for rate hikes by Arizona utility companies, many voters may look more closely at the ACC race. The ACC must give approval for any rate hike by an Arizona utility provider. Newman says, “It is important to keep utility rates stable during a time of economic upheaval.”