Ralph Heap earned a degree from Arizona State University and a medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Raised with a deep love for Arizona, Ralph graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University before earning his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He then went on to practice orthopedic surgery for over 40 years in the East Valley, helping thousands of patients live fuller, healthier lives.

In addition to his practice, he served as a volunteer team doctor for two local high schools and for a time with the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

Dr. Ralph Heap

Ralph Heap is a retired orthopedic surgeon and first-term Republican lawmaker in the Arizona House of Representatives, who succeeeded his son, Justin Heap, who is now the Maricopa County Recorder.

2026 Arizona Corporation Commission race: The candidates

Ralph Heap is a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced in the East Valley.

Trump, Arizona and coal: Why 2 Republican utility regulators are ...

Ralph Heap is a first-term lawmaker in the Arizona House of Representatives.

2026 Arizona General Election

As champions of the mission to promote economic freedom, David Marshall Sr. and Dr. Ralph Heap will streamline AZCC regulations to support small businesses, especially water utilities, by simplifying rate case processes and encouraging infrastructure investments that improve service without raising costs.

Supporting Small Businesses and Economic Freedom

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ARIZONA
End regulatory favoritism for corporate monopolies.
Empower local entrepreneurs and energy innovators—not legacy utility cartels.

David Marshall Sr. and Dr. Ralph Heap will ensure rural Arizona receives fair treatment from the AZCC by advocating for targeted infrastructure investments to improve water and power reliability without imposing excessive rate hikes. Drawing on Heap’s experience serving underserved communities through medical missions and Marshall’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, they will push for streamlined regulations that empower rural cooperatives and small utilities to deliver affordable, reliable services.

Defend Rural Arizona’s Energy and Water Access

Plans to streamline Corporation Commission regulations for small businesses, including simplified processes for reviewing water utility rates.

Calls for an end to regulatory favoritism for corporate monopolies and empowering local entrepreneurs and energy innovators.

Plans to streamline regulations for rural cooperatives and small utilities to provide affordable, reliable services.

- Plans to streamline Corporation Commission regulations for small businesses, including simplified processes for reviewing water utility rates.
- Calls for an end to regulatory favoritism for corporate monopolies and empowering local entrepreneurs and energy innovators.
- Plans to streamline regulations for rural cooperatives and small utilities to provide affordable, reliable services.

Small Businesses

Dr. Ralph Heap and David Marshall Sr. will prioritize affordable utility rates by scrutinizing utility rate increase requests and ensuring they are justified by transparent cost-benefit analyses. They will advocate for competitive, market-driven solutions that keep costs low without sacrificing reliability, drawing on Heap’s practical experience as an orthopedic surgeon and Marshall’s fiscal conservatism to protect working families from unfair rate hikes.

Protecting Ratepayers From Unjust Utility Rate Hikes

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ARIZONA
Oppose utility rate hikes that hurt families, seniors, and small businesses.
Audit Arizona utilities for waste, mismanagement, and unjustified profit margins.
Block “greenwashed” energy mandates that raise costs without delivering results.

Marshall and Heap will advocate for a balanced energy strategy that leverages Arizona’s solar potential, nuclear reliability, and natural gas while investing in grid modernization to prevent outages. They will prioritize water utility infrastructure to address the 45% water loss reported in some systems, ensuring reliable service for all Arizonans

Promoting Energy Reliability and Market Choice

Ensure that rural communities are not left behind or overregulated by urban-centric energy policies.
Oppose mandates that drive up utility costs for farmers, ranchers, and small-town families.
Protect local control over water systems and infrastructure from state and federal overreach.

Plans to scrutinize utility rate-increase requests using transparent cost-benefit analyses.

Plans to audit Arizona utilities for waste, mismanagement, and unjustified profit margins.

Advocates for grid modernization and a mix of solar, nuclear, and natural gas to prevent outages.

Plans to prioritize water-utility infrastructure to address reported water loss and improve service reliability.

Opposes mandates that increase utility costs for farmers, ranchers, and small-town families.

- Plans to scrutinize utility rate-increase requests using transparent cost-benefit analyses.
- Plans to audit Arizona utilities for waste, mismanagement, and unjustified profit margins.
- Advocates for grid modernization and a mix of solar, nuclear, and natural gas to prevent outages.
- Plans to prioritize water-utility infrastructure to address reported water loss and improve service reliability.
- Opposes mandates that increase utility costs for farmers, ranchers, and small-town families.

Utility Costs

“Coal gives us the base load power that we need,” Heap said last year when he launched his campaign alongside former lawmaker David Marshall, who has since dropped out of the Corporation Commission race to become the Navajo County recorder.

Trump, Arizona and coal: Why 2 Republican utility regulators are facing a challenge from the right

“Coal gives us the base load power that we need,” Heap said last year when he launched his campaign alongside former lawmaker David Marshall, who has since dropped out of the Corporation Commission race to become the Navajo County recorder.

“And so I think it is a major deal to close down a coal plant when you don't really have anything in position to make up for the energy that's going to be lost,” Heap said.

David Marshall Sr. and Dr. Ralph Heap will champion a diverse energy portfolio—nuclear, natural gas, solar, and emerging technologies—guided by market principles, not government mandates. Heap’s problem-solving expertise and Marshall’s commitment to principled governance will ensure the AZCC supports reliable, cost-effective energy sources while fostering innovation.

Ensure Arizona has reliable, affordable, and abundant energy — especially during peak demand.
Oppose forced transitions to unreliable energy sources that compromise grid stability.
Promote a free-market energy system where competition—not mandates—determines winners and losers.

THE COMMITMENT

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ARIZONA
Say no to globalist energy policy trickling into Arizona through ESG scoring and climate-based regulations.
Prevent the AZCC from becoming a rubber stamp for unelected bureaucrats and multinational special interests.
Protect Arizona businesses from being punished or excluded based on political or religious beliefs.

Rejecting Radical Agendas and Overreach

Drawing on Heap’s experience serving underserved communities through medical missions and Marshall’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, they will push for streamlined regulations that empower rural cooperatives and small utilities to deliver affordable, reliable services. They will also promote innovative solutions, such as localized solar projects, to enhance energy independence for rural areas while keeping costs low.

Said coal provides needed reliable, around-the-clock power and warned against closing coal plants before replacement energy is available.

Advocates for a diverse energy portfolio, including nuclear, natural gas, solar, and emerging technologies, guided by market principles rather than government mandates.

Opposes Environmental, Social, and Governance scoring and climate-based regulations in Arizona energy policy.

Plans to promote localized solar projects to increase rural energy independence while keeping costs low.

- Said coal provides needed reliable, around-the-clock power and warned against closing coal plants before replacement energy is available.
- Advocates for a diverse energy portfolio, including nuclear, natural gas, solar, and emerging technologies, guided by market principles rather than government mandates.
- Opposes Environmental, Social, and Governance scoring and climate-based regulations in Arizona energy policy.
- Plans to promote localized solar projects to increase rural energy independence while keeping costs low.

Energy & the Environment

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Ralph Heap

- Advocates for a diverse energy portfolio, including nuclear, natural gas, solar, and emerging technologies, guided by market principles rather than government mandates.
- Opposes Environmental, Social, and Governance scoring and climate-based regulations in Arizona energy policy.
- Plans to promote localized solar projects to increase rural energy independence while keeping costs low.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Clara Pratte

Jonathon Hill

Kevin Thompson

Mike Cease

- The Commission manages public utilities, maintains railroad and pipeline systems, and oversees businesses and securities.
- The Commission may also serve in a judicial capacity within its jurisdiction such as in cases related to utilities, investment management advisors, and pipeline and railroad crossing safety.
- Corporation commissioners are elected to four-year terms in partisan statewide elections. A commissioner can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. 
- There are five total commissioners in the Corporation Commission.

Oversees utility rates, pipeline and railroad safety, and business and securities. 