Bill Mundell


William A. Mundell is an American politician who served as a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission from 1999 until 2009 and in the Arizona [House of Representatives] from 1986 to 1992 as a Republican. He left the party and ran for the former position in 2016 [Arizona elections#Corporation_Commission|2016], 2018, and 2020 as a Democrat.

Early life and education

Mundell was born at Elmendorf [Air Force Base] in Anchorage, Alaska. His family moved to Arizona from Illinois in 1968. He graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1974 and a Juris Doctor from St. Mary's University, Texas in 1977.

Political career

Mundell practiced law in Chandler until he served as presiding judge of the Chandler Municipal Court from 1980 to 1986.
He resigned from the role to successfully run for the Arizona House of Representatives for the 30th district in 1986, succeeding James Sossaman and serving alongside Mark Killian. He chaired the House Environment Committee, where he sponsored legislation promoting protecting nature and recycling.
He retired to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992 [United States House of Representatives elections|1992].
In 1999, governor Jane Dee Hull appointed Mundell to the Arizona Corporation Commission. In 2006, Mundell co-authored renewable energy standards seeking to promote renewable energy in the state.

Party switch and later runs for office

2016

Mundell ran for his former position on the commission as a Democrat in 2016. Save Our AZ Solar, a group linked to SolarCity spent most of its $2.4 million into backing Mundell. He ultimately lost to Republican candidates Bob Burns, Andy Tobin, and Boyd Dunn in the general election.

2018

Two years later, in 2018, he sought the position again but did not advance from the Democratic primary election, placing behind Sandra Kennedy and Kiana Sears respectively.

2020

He again ran for a position on the board in 2020, pledging to strengthen accountability on the board. He ultimately placed fifth in the general election.

Electoral history

2018