In the race for the three empty seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Democratic team's hopes appear to be buoyed by new internal poll numbers, while Republicans remain cautiously optimistic of their chances, according to two of the candidates.

Democratic candidate Paul Newman said he didn't know how the vote was going to end up, but that two rallies at which he appeared over the course of Monday "should translate positively" for the Democratic candidates. 

Newman was the second-highest vote getter in the four-way Democratic primary where Kara Kelty was eliminated. He and fellow Democratic nominees Sam George and Sandra Kennedy have dubbed themselves the "Solar Team," and are focusing on issues of renewable energy, solar at the forefront.  

"Arizona needs strong advocates for solar," said Newman. "We absolutely should be the solar leader of the world."

Newman praised the Commission for mandating that a percentage of Arizona's power be produced through renewable energy sources, but said it hasn't gone far enough.  

He also said a new poll the team's campaign produced was "encouraging." 

Barry Wong, a Republican who has previously served on the ACC, beat out five other contenders to secure his place on the ballot alongside state Reps. Marian McClure (R-Tucson) and Bob Stump (R-Peoria)oth the Democrats and Republicans running for  Come Tuesday, both sides are hoping its party's candidates will complete a clean sweep and dominate the five-person commission.

Wong said his outlook on the race is "cautiously optimistic,"  but says the signs are there for a Republican sweep. Wong predicted that he and the other GOP candidates would benefit from high Republican voter turnout, and that their message resonates better with Arizonans.

"People are seeing this is a balanced seat," Wong said, with more to it than just setting energy policy. He said the message of he and his team was to keep utility rates low, "balanced with need of utility to keep up with demand and provide reliable service."

Wong also said the Democrats were hampered by a narrow platform.

"Focusing just on solar is a disadvantage," he said. "The Corporation Commission is more than just solar, more than just energy. Voters realize that and want a corporation group that understands all the issues." 

The possibility is that some combination of Democrats and Republicans will be elected to the seats. When asked which of the candidates across the aisle Newman thought might end up upsetting one or more of the members of his team, he mentioned Wong and Bob Stump.

"The Republicans are all fine people," said Newman, but thought Wong's prior experience on the ACC and Stump's name might help either of them take one or two of the seats.

On Stump's chances, Newman said he might do well "not because of experience, but because people think he's Congressman Bob Stump."

That Bob Stump represented the 3rd Congressional District for 25 years, and retired just before he passed away in 2003.

"I still have arguments with people who say if he got elected he'd have to step down from Congress," Newman said. "I know people know I'm not [actor] Paul Newman, but many people will confuse Bob with the venerable congressman." 

Wong, asked the same question as Newman, gave Newman high marks for the way he's campaigned.

"Paul Newman has been well traveled in terms of his campaigning, and he's up-to-date on some of the issues," Wong said.