Charlie Stevens

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Charlie Stevens

Libertarian Party

Elections and appointments

Last convention

August 3, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Victoria, Texas

Religion

Catholic

Profession

CEO

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Charlie Stevens (Libertarian Party) ran for election to the Texas Railroad Commission. He lost in the Libertarian Party convention on August 3, 2020.

Stevens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Charlie Stevens was born in Victoria, Texas. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering from Texas A&M University in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

Stevens' career experience includes working as a CEO with Stevens Technical Services, Inc., as a research engineer with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, as a senior project manager and managing director, and as an adjunct professor with Prairie View A&M University. His professional credentials include working as a licensed professional engineer, as a professional traffic operations engineer, and as a registered accessibility specialist.

Stevens has been affiliated with the Institute of Transportation Engineers' international-level STEM outreach committee, the Texas Institute of Transportation Engineers as a newsletter chair, the Houston Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers as an immediate past president, the Houston Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineering as a director, the Knights of Columbus Council 14690, and with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School as a school board member.

Awards

Stevens' professional awards include:

• Outstanding Civil Engineering Senior, Texas A&M Department of Civil Engineering
• Young Engineer of the Year, Houston Section of ITE
• Young Engineer of the Year, Houston Chapter Texas Society of Professional Engineers
• Young Engineer of the Year for Texas, Texas Society of Professional Engineers
• National Young Engineer of the Year, National Society of Professional Engineers

Elections

2020

See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2020

General election

General election for Texas Railroad Commission

James Wright defeated Chrysta Castañeda, Matt Sterett, and Katija Gruene in the general election for Texas Railroad Commission on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Wright (R)	53.0	5,831,263
		Chrysta Castañeda (D)	43.6	4,792,422
		Matt Sterett (L)	2.3	247,659
	Submit photo	Katija Gruene (G)	1.2	129,638

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,000,982
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary runoff election

Democratic primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission

Chrysta Castañeda defeated Roberto Alonzo in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission on July 14, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chrysta Castañeda	62.0	579,698
		Roberto Alonzo	38.0	355,053

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 934,751
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Chrysta Castañeda and Roberto Alonzo advanced to a runoff. They defeated Kelly Stone and Mark Watson in the Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chrysta Castañeda	33.8	598,638
✔		Roberto Alonzo	28.7	506,748
		Kelly Stone	21.7	383,453
		Mark Watson	15.8	279,911

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,768,750
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

James Wright defeated incumbent Ryan Sitton in the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Wright	55.3	991,593
		Ryan Sitton	44.7	801,904

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,793,497
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Green convention

Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Katija Gruene advanced from the Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 18, 2020.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	Katija Gruene (G)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Matt Sterett defeated Charlie Stevens in the Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission on August 3, 2020.

		Candidate
✔		Matt Sterett (L)
		Charlie Stevens (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Charlie Stevens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Stevens' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Howdy! I am a libertarian running for Texas Railroad Commissioner. With plummeting oil prices, Texas needs a change!

I will be primarily running on three things - 1) Innovation - we have to change the way we think and prepare, 2) End the Rubber Stamp - Texas needs an independent commissioner willing to ask the right questions, and 3) Texans Property Owners First - Texans should have an unbiased Libertarian voice during imminent domain disputes.

By day I am the CEO of a small specialized civil engineering firm Stevens Technical Services, Inc. focusing on traffic and transportation engineering. Prior to operating the firm I was a researcher for Texas A&M Transportation Institute. I focused on emerging technologies such as unmanned aerial systems, connected & automated vehicles, RFID tracking technologies, and extreme weather impacts such as hurricanes.

After graduating with a Bachelor's and Master degree from Texas A&M, I married my Aggie sweetheart and we have one daughter. We reside in northwest Houston area. I play golf and tennis weekly.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I am a proven leader and have a knack for making great level-headed decisions and providing
• I am an innovator! I love problem solving and emerging technology solutions. Now is the time for an innovative and a forward thinking commissioner to make the right decisions for the future of Texas.
• The Rubber Stamp Gang has to end! Texas needs an independent commissioner willing to ask the right questions and make decisions that are best for Texans.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protecting Texans while providing liberty.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The commission is a steward of state natural resources and with that responsibility comes ensuring that the environment and citizens of Texas are not negatively impacted. Additionally, the commission plays a significant role in the economic stability and vitality of Texans and Texas businesses.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Who do you look up to: The first person that comes to mind is my father - Charles Stevens Sr. He has always provided support and an honest opinion when needed. I also admire how he does what is right and always believes people are genuine and trustworthy.

Whose example would you like to follow: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Senator John McCain come to mind. Judge Emmett always appeared to remain calm and make level headed decisions during extreme events - I think this is key for good leadership. John McCain because he did what was right even if it went against party lines - he didn't sell out.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Political philosophy is pretty simple - do what you think is right and don't hurt anyone in the process. It's more a code of ethics that I live by that will shape my politics.

However, there are so many great leadership books that I take bits and pieces away from...

I particularly loved Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. We all think that people just fall into things - good and bad. However there are so many more factors to consider.

Good to Great by Jim C. Collins on the success of businesses being based on invested leadership and doing what is best for the organization rather than oneself. Reminds me of Spock concerning the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few or the one.

Personal side - Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl had a huge impact on my life. Lines like: "Those who have a why to live, can bear with almost any how." and "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." have significant meaning for me.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and integrity. Willingness to listen and put yourself in the shoes of all the parties involved.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty and integrity. Ability to quick study and make accurate level headed decisions.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Asking the right questions and decision making.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A reasonable commissioner that was willing to listen and consider all side equally. An politician that brought significant culture and provided for sound leadership.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I do remember bits of the Challenger incident but the event I remember most was the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The images of animals and shorelines covered in oil stuck with me. I would have been 10 or so.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was when I was about 10 years old. I helped my parents on weekends run the local sports card and comic book shop in Victoria, TX. Got paid $50 a weekend - most went to the local Tilt Arcade. That job lasted about 5 years when my family closed the business.

My first official part-time job was as a math and science tutor at Victoria Junior College.

My first full time position was working as a summer intern for the Texas Department of Transportation in Victoria, TX.

My first post graduate full-time job was working for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

I've always been a hard worker and seized opportunities that came along.

What is your favorite book? Why?

There are to many to pick a favorite...

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Maybe Albus Dumbledore... He seems to be wise and always have slightly more information than others. Plus he is always learning and teaching.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Move it Move it" from Madagascar...

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Oversight of natural resource operations in Texas and making sure that Texans are not negatively impacted by those activities by environment and/or property rights.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Well, the office name itself is misleading as the Railroad Commission doesn't oversee any railroads. There has been some activity towards changing the name. Little known powers... Actually, the Commission has the ability to provide more transparency and provide additional reporting tools to Texans. Texans should be aware of this and ask for ways the commission can be more transparent.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Previous experience in any field prior to taking a position would be beneficial - that is common sense. However, this position tends to fly under the media radar and commissioners can really get into their work. I think what is important is the ability to know what questions to ask, determine any issues to address, and finding appropriate solutions.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Leadership skill should be highly desirable. The ability to quickly study and determine the necessary questions and concerns for a permit or compliance issue. Basically, sound decision making skills.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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