PSC Challenger Attracting Support from Both Sides of Aisle
Atlanta Tea Party co-founder Debbie Dooley and Colleen Kiernan, head of the Georgia chapter of the Sierra Club, led the charge against last summer’s T-SPLOST referendum.
Though still very much on opposite sides of the political aisle, the duo are once again on the same page – this time, to endorse David Staples, a libertarian candidate for public service commissioner.
Dooley and Kiernan say the race is an important one. The winner becomes a member of the Georgia Public Service Commission, which regulates electricity rates and sets long-term energy goals for the state.
Dooley says Republican Stan Wise, a commissioner since 1994, has held the office too long.
“A lot of activists don’t like the closeness that Stan Wise appears to have with lobbyists for the utilities that are regulated. I think that’s a problem,” said Dooley.
Dooley noted a significant amount of Wise’s campaign contributions have come from people affiliated with the utilities he helps regulate. 
It’s why Dooley and Kiernan are backing the libertarian candidate in November.
“David Staples pledged not to take gifts from lobbyists and is in favor of developing renewable resources,” said Kiernan. “He thinks public health needs to be a consideration in thinking about the appropriate mix of power generation sources.”
Staples lives in Powder Springs and is an IT manager for a large equipment manufacturer. This is his first campaign for statewide office.
9(MDAxODM0MDY4MDEyMTY4NDA3MzI3YjkzMw004))
Top Stories
