Kristin Mayes

Kristin Kay Mayes[2][3][4] (born September 6, 1971)[5] is an American news reporter and lawyer who is a Professor of Practice at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law[6] and a former Arizona Corporation Commissioner.[7] She was born and raised in Prescott, Arizona. After graduating from Prescott High School she attended Arizona State University (ASU). While attending ASU where she served as editor in chief of the State Press, the university's newspaper. In addition, Mayes won the Truman Scholarship. She graduated valedictorian from ASU with a degree in political science.

Mayes worked as a general assignment reporter for the Phoenix Gazette, and later as a political reporter for The Arizona Republic, covering the Arizona State Legislature. Mayes then attended graduate school at Columbia University in New York, where she earned a Master of Public Administration.

Following graduate school, Mayes returned to The Arizona Republic, where she was assigned to cover the 2000 presidential campaigns of Senator John McCain, former Vice President Dan Quayle, publisher Steve Forbes and then-Governor George W. Bush. During this time Mayes co-authored a book entitled Spin Priests: Campaign Advisors and the 2000 Race for the White House. After the presidential campaign, Mayes attended ASU College of Law and graduated magna cum laude.

Mayes was appointed to the Corporation Commission in October 2003. She devoted much of her effort towards pipeline safety, renewable energy and natural gas issues. Term-limited in 2010, she was succeeded by fellow Republican Brenda Burns.