They call themselves "Elected Leadership for SRP." But a corporate PAC chose them first. Their presidential candidate's family has held board seats for four generations. Two brothers are running for two seats in one district. Here's what their website doesn't show you.
"Our leadership prioritizes affordability, water security, and reliable energy, ensuring decisions reflect local needs - not outside influence."
The Dobson-Paceley slate is endorsed by Arizonans for Responsible Growth (AZFRG), a PAC that reported $172,001 in contributions through December 31, 2025. AZFRG's top three donors are Willmeng Construction ($52,551), Google ($25,000), and VW Connect ($25,000). Willmeng's VP of Economic Development founded and chairs the PAC. Every donor displayed on the PAC's website is a corporation. The PAC's election page explicitly endorses these candidates by name.
The Elected Leadership for SRP footer reads: "Paid for by Chris Dobson for SRP President and Barry Paceley for SRP VP. Authorized by Chris Dobson and Barry Paceley." The AZFRG footer on the same endorsement page reads: "Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's agent."
Candidate bios labeled "Their site says" are quoted from electedleadershipforsrp.com. Additional context sourced from SRP candidate filings, corporate websites, and campaign finance records. Full citations at srpboughtandpaid.com/report.
His company is listed as a donor. The PAC endorses him. The PAC says it is independent of candidates. All documented on azforrg.com - two clicks apart.
Note: The specific contribution amount has not been independently confirmed from campaign finance filings. The donor-page listing and endorsement are publicly visible on AZFRG's website. No coordination is alleged or proven.
These are the top donors displayed on AZFRG's supporters page. Every one is a corporation. Filed contribution amounts are from campaign finance records (committee ID 101777, data through 12/31/2025).
Six additional donors not shown (Coe & Van Loo, Trademark, Rummel Construction, Kieckhefer Properties, Withey Morris Baugh, and an ESOP-branded entity). Full evidence-graded table with source strength ratings at srpboughtandpaid.com/report.
Look at who's on this slate and ask yourself: is this what an open, democratic election looks like?
Three families and an insider. That's not a slate - it's a succession plan. The same families and corporate interests recycling themselves through SRP's governance, generation after generation, while a million customers have no say.
In District 6, AZFRG endorses two members of the same family for two seats: Nicholas Vanderwey for Board and Michael Vanderwey for Council. Michael Vanderwey is running directly against us - John Travise and Sara Travise - for District 6 Council.
Here's what happened in the last election cycle, documented by the Energy and Policy Institute with Maricopa County Recorder deeds and SRP's own voting records:
When the Energy and Policy Institute asked SRP about this type of transaction, SRP replied that it "does not involve itself in or advise how property owners hold title to their property."
Both Vanderweys are endorsed by a PAC funded by data center companies (Google, EdgeCore), data center builders (Willmeng, Suntec, Rummel), and data center lobbyists (Withey Morris Baugh). If both win, one family will hold two seats in District 6 on the boards that oversee data center policy - after selling a quarter-billion dollars in land for data center development.
Source: Chase, Stephanie. "SRP landowner games 2024 race to elect preferred candidate." Energy and Policy Institute, Feb. 9, 2026. Documented with Maricopa County Recorder recording nos. 20230643382 and 20240312109, SRP Corporate Secretary early voting records, and SRP official election results. Full article →
AZFRG's election page endorses approximately 20 candidates across seven districts - President, Vice President, both at-large board seats, and council seats in Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. This is not a PAC supporting a few candidates. It's a systematic effort to lock down every seat on SRP's governing structure with corporate-approved names.
The pattern repeats: dynasty families, company insiders, and industry-connected professionals - all endorsed by the same PAC, funded by the same corporate donors, running as a coordinated bloc. They call it "elected leadership." The record shows it's a closed network passing power to itself.