Power bills are on Tuesday's ballot as nine states elect utility regulators

The officials who approve electric rate increases rarely get much attention at election time. This year, seats on nine state utility commissions are on the ballot as power bills become a campaign issue ¹. The states are Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota ⁴.

Home electricity prices are up more than 10% nationally since 2024, according to federal data cited by Reuters ¹. Charles Hua, who leads the utility bill group PowerLines, told Reuters, "It could be the first election to feature utilities and electricity, specifically, as a prominent issue in the midterms" ¹.

What the latest numbers show

The average U.S. home paid 18.16 cents per kilowatt-hour in August, up from 17.57 cents a year earlier, in preliminary federal figures ³. Michigan went from 20.73 to 22.99 cents, and Ohio went from 17.55 to 19.38 cents ³. By our math, a home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would pay about $23 more in Michigan and about $18 more in Ohio.

The increases were not uniform. Georgia rose more modestly, from 15.55 to 15.90 cents, and Arizona was nearly flat, at 15.05 cents versus 15.09 ³. The fights in those two states are about past increases and what comes next.

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Georgia's board could change hands

Republicans hold a 3-2 majority on Georgia's five-member Public Service Commission. If Democrats Peter Hubbard and Shelia Edwards both win, Democrats take the majority ¹³. Members represent districts, but they are elected statewide ¹³.

Hubbard faces Republican Fitz Johnson, the commissioner he unseated last year ⁵⁶. Johnson voted for six rate hikes, a temporary rate freeze and Georgia Power's expansion, which relies heavily on fossil fuels ⁵. One recent increase added $5.48 to the typical household bill ⁶.

The other seat is open. Republican Tricia Pridemore lost a congressional bid and resigned early for a job at a data center company, and Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Stan Wise to serve until January ⁵. Edwards pledges to stop more Georgia Power rate hikes, make data centers "pay their fair share" and pause data center development for at least a year ⁶.

You need a commissioner who will stand up for families, seniors and veterans. And that's me.

Her Republican opponent, engineer Josh Tolbert, is also critical of the status quo. He opposed the commission's December grid expansion and wants any buildout phased in as power is sold, not based on growth projections ⁶.

We have an affordability problem in the state right now, and utility costs play a major role in that.

An August poll found both Democrats ahead 51% to 42% after voters heard candidate biographies. A conservation group paid for it, so it should be read with caution ⁶. University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock said the Democrats likely have the edge because their voters are more motivated this year ⁶.

A win would not change bills overnight. Residential base rates are frozen through 2028, and the next full rate case is expected after that ⁵⁶. Still, in July, staff said a pricing structure under a new data center cost investigation could raise average residential costs by up to 11% by 2028 ¹². The Republican majority voted down Hubbard's proposal for a deeper analysis ¹².

Arizona's timing problem

Republicans hold all five seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, and two are on the ballot ⁴. Since the 2024 election, the commission has repealed the state's energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. It also approved its first formula rate plans, which let utilities adjust rates each year without a traditional rate hearing ⁷.

Arizona Public Service, the state's largest utility, is seeking about 14%, its third increase in four years ⁷. Tucson Electric Power is seeking 13% ¹⁷. The commission will likely decide the Arizona Public Service case in December, before any new commissioner is sworn in ¹⁶. That matters because Tuesday's winners may have no vote on it, though they would shape what follows.

Arizonans are sick and tired of commissioners who will not fight for them

Democrats Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill want an independent investigation into whether households are paying for data center growth ⁹. A consumer advocate alleges customers paid $587 million in such costs from 2023 to 2025 ⁹. The utility says the study "reaches conclusions that are inaccurate, misleading, and frankly harmful to APS customers" ⁹.

Republican Commissioner Kevin Thompson says his board already requires data centers to carry their own costs. Arizona Public Service is seeking a 45% increase for those large customers in its pending case ⁹.

Growth pays for growth, and that has been our stance since day one!

Thompson also defends formula rates, saying yearly reviews would prevent big periodic increases and could lower rates ⁸. Hill doubts that: "I don't think the utility companies would be fighting so hard for formula rates if it was ever going to lead to a decrease" ⁸.

The other Republican, state Rep. Ralph Heap, skipped a debate and a PBS forum ⁸. His platform centers on adding coal power, and the state's Clean Elections Commission is investigating him over alleged campaign finance violations ¹⁴.

Where else it could matter

In most of the other states, the odds of a quick change are longer. As of a May report by Canary Media, commissions in Alabama, Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota were entirely Republican ⁴. Alabama's Democrats might not gain a majority even by winning both open seats, because a new law adds four members appointed by the governor. A Democratic candidate has sued to reverse that expansion ⁴.

Governors are in the fight too, with 36 governorships on the ballot ¹. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton backs a data center moratorium and promises a commission "not beholden to utility companies," while Republican Vivek Ramaswamy says Ohioans living near data centers would not pay electric bills at all ¹². In April, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, pressed PECO to drop a rate request. His office put the savings at $510 million for 1.7 million customers, or up to $34 a month for some ¹⁹.

The bigger pressure on bills

Utilities are on track to match last year's record $31 billion in rate increase requests, and investor-owned companies plan nearly $1.3 trillion in capital spending over five years ¹². Drew Maloney, president of the industry's main trade group, warned that "The grid is America's greatest machine, and it doesn't operate on the political calendar" ¹.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a Trump appointee, has said data centers do not inflate electricity bills, the Associated Press reported in February, while consumer advocates warn that households could end up covering the costs ¹⁸. Older adults have taken a side: AARP says 78% of people 50 and over believe large data centers should cover their own costs ¹⁰.

In an AARP poll of Arizona likely voters in July, 79% of voters 50 and over said rising utility costs were extremely or very important to their vote ¹¹. Hua offered a caution about what happens next: "I do think the real meat will come after the election" ¹.

The Record

1. Feb 13, 2026The Associated Press reports Energy Secretary Chris Wright's position that data centers do not inflate electricity bills ¹⁸.
2. Apr 16, 2026Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announces PECO is withdrawing a rate request his office says would have cost 1.7 million customers $510 million ¹⁹.
3. Jul 7, 2026Georgia Recorder reports the state's utility commission unanimously approved a data center cost investigation, and the Republican majority rejected a deeper analysis proposed by Democrat Peter Hubbard ¹².
4. Oct 31, 2026Reuters reports seats on nine state utility commissions are up for election and rate requests are on track to match last year's record $31 billion ¹².
5. Nov 3, 2026Election Day, when Georgia voters decide two seats that will determine control of the Public Service Commission ¹³.

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<h2>Power bills are on Tuesday&#39;s ballot as nine states elect utility regulators</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files National Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/power-bills-are-on-tuesday-s-ballot-as-nine-states-elect-utility-regulators">The GOP Files</a> on Saturday, October 31, 2026.</em></p> <p>The officials who approve electric rate increases rarely get much attention at election time. This year, seats on nine state utility commissions are on the ballot as power bills become a campaign issue . The states are Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota .</p> <p>Home electricity prices are up more than 10% nationally since 2024, according to federal data cited by Reuters . Charles Hua, who leads the utility bill group PowerLines, told Reuters, &quot;It could be the first election to feature utilities and electricity, specifically, as a prominent issue in the midterms&quot; .</p> <h2>What the latest numbers show</h2> <p>The average U.S. home paid 18.16 cents per kilowatt-hour in August, up from 17.57 cents a year earlier, in preliminary federal figures . Michigan went from 20.73 to 22.99 cents, and Ohio went from 17.55 to 19.38 cents . By our math, a home using 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month would pay about $23 more in Michigan and about $18 more in Ohio.</p> <p>The increases were not uniform. Georgia rose more modestly, from 15.55 to 15.90 cents, and Arizona was nearly flat, at 15.05 cents versus 15.09 . The fights in those two states are about past increases and what comes next.</p> <h2>Georgia&#39;s board could change hands</h2> <p>Republicans hold a 3-2 majority on Georgia&#39;s five-member Public Service Commission. If Democrats Peter Hubbard and Shelia Edwards both win, Democrats take the majority . Members represent districts, but they are elected statewide .</p> <p>Hubbard faces Republican Fitz Johnson, the commissioner he unseated last year . Johnson voted for six rate hikes, a temporary rate freeze and Georgia Power&#39;s expansion, which relies heavily on fossil fuels . One recent increase added $5.48 to the typical household bill .</p> <p>The other seat is open. Republican Tricia Pridemore lost a congressional bid and resigned early for a job at a data center company, and Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Stan Wise to serve until January . Edwards pledges to stop more Georgia Power rate hikes, make data centers &quot;pay their fair share&quot; and pause data center development for at least a year .</p> <blockquote><p>You need a commissioner who will stand up for families, seniors and veterans. And that&#39;s me.</p><p>&mdash; Shelia Edwards, Democratic candidate, Georgia Public Service Commission</p></blockquote> <p>Her Republican opponent, engineer Josh Tolbert, is also critical of the status quo. He opposed the commission&#39;s December grid expansion and wants any buildout phased in as power is sold, not based on growth projections .</p> <blockquote><p>We have an affordability problem in the state right now, and utility costs play a major role in that.</p><p>&mdash; Josh Tolbert, Republican candidate, Georgia Public Service Commission</p></blockquote> <p>An August poll found both Democrats ahead 51% to 42% after voters heard candidate biographies. A conservation group paid for it, so it should be read with caution . University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock said the Democrats likely have the edge because their voters are more motivated this year .</p> <p>A win would not change bills overnight. Residential base rates are frozen through 2028, and the next full rate case is expected after that . Still, in July, staff said a pricing structure under a new data center cost investigation could raise average residential costs by up to 11% by 2028 . The Republican majority voted down Hubbard&#39;s proposal for a deeper analysis .</p> <h2>Arizona&#39;s timing problem</h2> <p>Republicans hold all five seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, and two are on the ballot . Since the 2024 election, the commission has repealed the state&#39;s energy efficiency and renewable energy standards. It also approved its first formula rate plans, which let utilities adjust rates each year without a traditional rate hearing .</p> <p>Arizona Public Service, the state&#39;s largest utility, is seeking about 14%, its third increase in four years . Tucson Electric Power is seeking 13% . The commission will likely decide the Arizona Public Service case in December, before any new commissioner is sworn in . That matters because Tuesday&#39;s winners may have no vote on it, though they would shape what follows.</p> <blockquote><p>Arizonans are sick and tired of commissioners who will not fight for them</p><p>&mdash; Clara Pratte, Democratic candidate, Arizona Corporation Commission</p></blockquote> <p>Democrats Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill want an independent investigation into whether households are paying for data center growth . A consumer advocate alleges customers paid $587 million in such costs from 2023 to 2025 . The utility says the study &quot;reaches conclusions that are inaccurate, misleading, and frankly harmful to APS customers&quot; .</p> <p>Republican Commissioner Kevin Thompson says his board already requires data centers to carry their own costs. Arizona Public Service is seeking a 45% increase for those large customers in its pending case .</p> <blockquote><p>Growth pays for growth, and that has been our stance since day one!</p><p>&mdash; Kevin Thompson, Commissioner, Arizona Corporation Commission, Republican</p></blockquote> <p>Thompson also defends formula rates, saying yearly reviews would prevent big periodic increases and could lower rates . Hill doubts that: &quot;I don&#39;t think the utility companies would be fighting so hard for formula rates if it was ever going to lead to a decrease&quot; .</p> <p>The other Republican, state Rep. Ralph Heap, skipped a debate and a PBS forum . His platform centers on adding coal power, and the state&#39;s Clean Elections Commission is investigating him over alleged campaign finance violations .</p> <h2>Where else it could matter</h2> <p>In most of the other states, the odds of a quick change are longer. As of a May report by Canary Media, commissions in Alabama, Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota were entirely Republican . Alabama&#39;s Democrats might not gain a majority even by winning both open seats, because a new law adds four members appointed by the governor. A Democratic candidate has sued to reverse that expansion .</p> <p>Governors are in the fight too, with 36 governorships on the ballot . In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton backs a data center moratorium and promises a commission &quot;not beholden to utility companies,&quot; while Republican Vivek Ramaswamy says Ohioans living near data centers would not pay electric bills at all . In April, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, pressed PECO to drop a rate request. His office put the savings at $510 million for 1.7 million customers, or up to $34 a month for some .</p> <h2>The bigger pressure on bills</h2> <p>Utilities are on track to match last year&#39;s record $31 billion in rate increase requests, and investor-owned companies plan nearly $1.3 trillion in capital spending over five years . Drew Maloney, president of the industry&#39;s main trade group, warned that &quot;The grid is America&#39;s greatest machine, and it doesn&#39;t operate on the political calendar&quot; .</p> <p>Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a Trump appointee, has said data centers do not inflate electricity bills, the Associated Press reported in February, while consumer advocates warn that households could end up covering the costs . Older adults have taken a side: AARP says 78% of people 50 and over believe large data centers should cover their own costs .</p> <p>In an AARP poll of Arizona likely voters in July, 79% of voters 50 and over said rising utility costs were extremely or very important to their vote . Hua offered a caution about what happens next: &quot;I do think the real meat will come after the election&quot; .</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/power-bills-are-on-tuesday-s-ballot-as-nine-states-elect-utility-regulators">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/power-bills-are-on-tuesday-s-ballot-as-nine-states-elect-utility-regulators.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

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