Turning Point Action is moving aggressively into Salt River Project (SRP) board and council elections, aiming to block the rise of clean energy candidates who have gained ground in recent years. The group is investing in voter registration efforts and deploying canvassers months before candidates can even file to run, with leadership framing the push as a fight against “radical environmentalists” and “Green New Deal extremists.” SRP elections, which are usually low-profile and limited to landowners in its service area, have drawn increasing attention as more candidates campaigning on renewable energy platforms have won seats, supported by PACs like Chispa Arizona and the Jane Fonda Climate PAC.
The move has alarmed environmental groups, who argue SRP’s current leadership already favors fossil fuels and that outside money could further entrench the status quo. Meanwhile, other utility-aligned organizations, such as Arizonans for Responsible Growth, are also preparing candidate slates. With SRP providing power and water to over 2 million people, political strategists say Turning Point’s efforts could influence not just utility policy but also turnout in higher-profile races in 2026. Critics warn that the influx of national political money risks undermining an already complex and insular election system that historically favors incumbents and longstanding families tied to SRP governance.
