Not about railroads

The Texas Railroad Commission has not regulated railroads since 2005. It now oversees oil and gas, natural gas facilities, hydrogen, pipelines, and surface mining.

“has not regulated railroads since 2005”

A huge energy job

Texas drills more oil and hydrocarbons than all other states combined. The industry employs nearly half a million Texans and sends billions to public budgets.

“Texas commands U.S. oil and gas”

The role is growing

The agency will oversee new natural gas delivery for data centers, carbon dioxide injection sites, and weather readiness for gas facilities tied to the power grid.

French leads GOP ticket

Bo French, the Republican candidate, chairs the Tarrant County Republican Party and has spent decades investing in energy. His family owns an oil business in Midland.

French's money picture

French reported $223,192 cash on hand and $333,603 raised from Jan. 1 through June 30. Major support included conservative PACs and donors tied to oil interests.

French's political lane

French describes himself as a MAGA Republican. The Tribune notes he has pushed the party right and faced criticism over posts about Jews, Muslims and other groups.

“MAGA Republican”

French's policy pitch

French says he would end DEI work at the agency, oppose Chinese government influence in oil, promote U.S. ties with Israel, and back a pro-family program for operators.

French's endorsements

French is endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, two sitting railroad commissioners, and several oil and gas trade groups.

Rosenthal enters as Democrat

Jon Rosenthal served four terms in the Texas House and worked for more than two decades as an oil field mechanical engineer.

Rosenthal's money picture

Rosenthal reported $167,879 cash on hand and $64,511 raised from Jan. 1 through June 30. Donors listed include Don Henley and the Lone Star Project PAC.

Rosenthal's regulatory case

Rosenthal argues the agency has not enforced its rules enough. He says it should apply current law, measure results, and work with lawmakers on changes.

“has not sufficiently enforced its regulations”

Rosenthal's policy list

Rosenthal proposes regional community liaisons, more language access, a 24/7 hotline, tighter gas utility review, less flaring, leak detection, and public dashboards.

Rosenthal's backing

Rosenthal is endorsed by the Sierra Club, Texas AFL-CIO, and Hawk Dunlap, a former Republican primary candidate and longtime critic of the agency.

DiBianca runs Libertarian

Arthur DiBianca is the Libertarian candidate. State filings list him as retired, and he has run before for Texas Senate, Congress, and the Texas House.

DiBianca's platform

DiBianca supports free market energy development without subsidies or mandates, competitive pipeline access, property rights, and making operators cover abandoned well costs.

“government must be kept to the minimum necessary”