MEMO: Energy affordability is driving Arizona voters to the polls this election

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: Climate Power 

DATE: October 27, 2026

RE: Energy affordability is driving Arizona voters to the polls this election

In 2024, Trump and Republicans promised to cut energy costs in half. Instead, Trump and Arizona Republicans slashed cheaper clean energy, entered a costly war in Iran, and paved the way for rapid data center expansion with no guardrails, all of which have led to skyrocketing gas and utility prices, while worsening air and water quality and slowing economic growth. Over the past year, energy affordability has become a top issue for voters struggling to choose between filling up their gas tanks, heating and cooling their homes, and putting food on the table for their families. 

In competitive races across the state, Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Commissioner Kevin Thompson and candidate Jay Feely, are all facing constituents struggling to pay for electricity and increasing gas prices. These high costs are driving voters to turn out next week, and they’re set to make their voices heard at the polls on November 3rd. 

Trump and Republican’s policies are costing Arizonans

• Since Trump took office in 2025, electricity prices have increased by 14% in the state.
• Since 2025, at least seven Arizona utilities enacted or proposed rate hikes totaling over $2.6 billion, affecting over 3 million electricity customers and more than 1 million residential gas customers. 
• Representatives Andy Biggs and Juan Ciscomani voted for the Republican budget bill which cut clean energy in the state, gave tax breaks to data centers and is driving up electricity prices for Arizonans by taking energy off the grid. 
• Between higher gas prices, utility bills, and tariffs, Trump has cost the average Arizona family an extra $1,873 since he took office, and by the end of the year, that total could grow to $2,935.
• Gas prices in Arizona have spiked 35% since Trump started his war of choice in Iran. A small price for him and his billionaire friends, but not for Arizona families already dealing with skyrocketing costs.

Energy affordability dominated news cycles 

• Democrats target Arizona utility panel as electricity costs become a top voter issue 
• A U.S. House race in Arizona could hinge on voters’ opinion of the Big Beautiful Bill 
• APS rate case kicks off with hours of protest over 14% rate increase
• Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ broke my fixed budget, & Ciscomani voted for it
• Arizona city and industry leaders look for new data center standards as public opposition grows
• Summer utility bills find mobile home residents with few options     
• Arizona electric bills rose fastest for lowest earners, study finds
• Rising utility bills in Tucson have locals suspicious of data centers  

Rising costs drive votes

• According to a recent poll, close to 80% of Arizonans say electricity bills have increased in the past two years, and more than 60% say their summer utility bills are difficult to afford.
• Energy costs are two of voters’ top-three most important voting issues ahead of the midterms, as voters name the cost of gas (46%) and utilities (37%) as their most important issues following grocery costs (68%).
• Climate Power analysis cited in Newsweek saw ad spending on utility and energy affordability grow exponentially this cycle. In Arizona over $3M was spent on ads focused on utility bills, with a majority of them being placed by Democrats. 
• Research found that since January, the share of voters seriously concerned about gas prices has more than doubled, while concern about electricity costs is up 10 points. 58% of voters say congressional Republicans are making energy prices worse, compared to just 22% who say better.

Behind the money

• Trump has made as much as $21 million from his oil and gas investments since the start of the Iran war, bragging about the money these companies are making as Arizonans pay the price at the pump.
• Juan Ciscomani has received over $150,000 from Big Oil and Gas and utilities this cycle alone. 

Available voices for interviews

• Mykel,  Retired, disabled veteran and nature photographer, Tucson, AZ. In December, Mykel stopped paying his mortgage to try to pay down his utility debt and other bills. He relies on a blood oxygenator and cannot live without electricity. Mykel’s house was sold at a foreclosure auction Sept. 10, and he is now living with a neighbor. An extremely hot winter increased his power usage and his utility is trying to raise rates 14%. 
• Koral Casillas, small-business owner, Phoenix, AZ 

Small business owner of Stripmall Coffee and Moosoon Indie, locally and women-owned. Koral and co-owner received a $1,700 electricity bill this past summer.  

• Joy Seitz, CEO, American Solar & Roofing, Phoenix, AZ. Joy draws on more than 16 years in the solar and roofing industries. A long-time advocate for renewable energy access, consumer protections, and high standards for the trades, she serves on advisory boards and works with local, state, and federal leaders to shape practical, people-centered clean-energy policy. 

Instead of lowering energy costs in half, Trump and his rubber-stamp allies gutted clean energy investment and tilted the playing field toward expensive oil and gas, just as data centers sent demand soaring. Arizonans are footing the bill, and they’ve had enough of politicians enriching themselves as they struggle to afford their energy bills. 

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