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Texas Railroad Commission

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Texas Railroad Commission

TX RRC logo.JPG

General information
Office Type:  Partisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $140,937
2025 FY Budget:  $237,152,107
Total Seats:  3
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   6 years
Authority:  Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 3, Chapter 81
Selection Method:  Elected
Current Officeholder(s)
Wayne Christian, Christi Craddick, James Wright
Elections
Next election:  2026
Last election:  2024
Other Texas Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralComptrollerAuditorEducation CommissionerAgriculture CommissionerInsurance CommissionerLand CommissionerWorkforce CommissionPublic Utility CommissionRailroad Commission

The Texas Railroad Commission is a state executive agency in the Texas state government. Despite its name, the commission does not regulate railroads, but instead regulates the oil and gas business in Texas.[1]

Historically, the railroad commission has been a very powerful office. OPEC, the Middle Eastern oil cartel, was originally modeled in part on the commission. According to the Texas Tribune, the agency has also been a launching pad to higher office.[1]

Current officeholders


Authority

The commission's authority is established by the Texas Natural Resource Code.[2]

Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 3. Chapter 81, Subchapter C, Section 81.051

JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission has jurisdiction over all:

(1) common carrier pipelines defined in Section 111.002 of this code in Texas; (2) oil and gas wells in Texas; (3) persons owning or operating pipelines in Texas; and (4) persons owning or engaged in drilling or operating oil or gas wells in Texas.

Qualifications

Qualifications for being a commissioner are outlined in the Texas Natural Resource Code.[2]

To serve on the Texas Railroad Commission a person must be:[2]

  1. a qualified voter under the constitution and laws; and
  2. at least 25 years of age.

Elections

Commissioners are elected to six-year staggered terms with one commissioner up for election every two years.[2]

Election results

See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2030


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2028


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Jon Rosenthal (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Jon Rosenthal
Jon Rosenthal

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent James Wright (R), Katherine Culbert (R), Hawk Dunlap (R), Bo French (R), and James Matlock (R) are running in the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2024

General election

General election for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Christi Craddick (R) defeated Katherine Culbert (D), Eddie Espinoza (G), Hawk Dunlap (L), and Richard McKibbin (Independent) in the general election for Texas Railroad Commission on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Christi Craddick
Christi Craddick (R)
 
55.6
 
6,100,218
Image of Katherine Culbert
Katherine Culbert (D)  Candidate Connection
 
39.0
 
4,275,904
Image of Eddie Espinoza
Eddie Espinoza (G)  Candidate Connection
 
2.8
 
301,793
Image of Hawk Dunlap
Hawk Dunlap (L)
 
2.6
 
285,544
Image of Richard McKibbin
Richard McKibbin (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
1,656

Total votes: 10,965,115
Candidate Connection = 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

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Katherine Culbert (D) defeated Bill Burch (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Katherine Culbert
Katherine Culbert  Candidate Connection
 
67.6
 
615,965
Image of Bill Burch
Bill Burch  Candidate Connection
 
32.4
 
294,628

Total votes: 910,593
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Christi Craddick (R) defeated James Matlock (R), Christie Clark (R), Corey Howell (R), and Petra Reyes (R) in the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Christi Craddick
Christi Craddick
 
50.4
 
982,457
Image of James Matlock
James Matlock
 
26.6
 
517,624
Image of Christie Clark
Christie Clark  Candidate Connection
 
11.7
 
228,395
Corey Howell
 
6.3
 
122,802
Image of Petra Reyes
Petra Reyes
 
5.0
 
97,280

Total votes: 1,948,558
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green Party convention

Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Eddie Espinoza (G) advanced from the Green Party convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Eddie Espinoza
Eddie Espinoza  Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
51

Total votes: 51
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Hawk Dunlap (L) defeated Chris Fuller (L) in the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 14, 2024.


Candidate Connection = 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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See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2022

General election

General election for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Wayne Christian (R) defeated Luke Warford (D), Jaime Díez (L), and Hunter Crow (G) in the general election for Texas Railroad Commission on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Wayne Christian
Wayne Christian (R)
 
55.4
 
4,401,187
Image of Luke Warford
Luke Warford (D)  Candidate Connection
 
40.5
 
3,222,305
Image of Jaime Díez
Jaime Díez (L)  Candidate Connection
 
3.0
 
239,489
Image of Hunter Crow
Hunter Crow (G)  Candidate Connection
 
1.1
 
85,570

Total votes: 7,948,551
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary runoff

Republican primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Wayne Christian (R) defeated Sarah Stogner (R) in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission on May 24, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Wayne Christian
Wayne Christian
 
65.0
 
574,573
Image of Sarah Stogner
Sarah Stogner  Candidate Connection
 
35.0
 
308,859

Total votes: 883,432
Candidate Connection = 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

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Luke Warford (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Luke Warford
Luke Warford  Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
916,650

Total votes: 916,650
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Wayne Christian (R) and Sarah Stogner (R) advanced to a runoff. They defeated Tom Slocum Jr. (R), Marvin Summers (R), and Dawayne Tipton (R) in the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Wayne Christian
Wayne Christian
 
47.4
 
775,679
Image of Sarah Stogner
Sarah Stogner  Candidate Connection
 
15.0
 
244,949
Image of Tom Slocum Jr.
Tom Slocum Jr.  Candidate Connection
 
14.3
 
234,439
Marvin Summers  Candidate Connection
 
11.9
 
194,099
Image of Dawayne Tipton
Dawayne Tipton  Candidate Connection
 
11.5
 
188,428

Total votes: 1,637,594
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green Party convention

Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Hunter Crow (G) advanced from the Green Party convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 9, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Hunter Crow
Hunter Crow  Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Jaime Díez (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 10, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Jaime Díez
Jaime Díez  Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2020

General election

General election for Texas Railroad Commission

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

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

Total votes: 11,000,982
Candidate Connection = 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

Democratic primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission

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

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Chrysta Castañeda
Chrysta Castañeda  Candidate Connection
 
62.0
 
579,698
Image of Roberto Alonzo
Roberto Alonzo
 
38.0
 
355,053

Total votes: 934,751
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

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

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

Total votes: 1,768,750
Candidate Connection = 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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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

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

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of James Wright
James Wright
 
55.3
 
991,593
Image of Ryan Sitton
Ryan Sitton  Candidate Connection
 
44.7
 
801,904

Total votes: 1,793,497
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green Party convention

Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission

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

Candidate
Katija Gruene  Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission

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

Candidate
Image of Matt Sterett
Matt Sterett  Candidate Connection
Image of Charlie Stevens
Charlie Stevens  Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2018

General election

General election for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Christi Craddick (R) defeated Roman McAllen (D) and Mike Wright (L) in the general election for Texas Railroad Commission on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Christi Craddick
Christi Craddick (R)
 
53.2
 
4,376,729
Image of Roman McAllen
Roman McAllen (D)
 
43.9
 
3,612,130
Mike Wright (L)  Candidate Connection
 
2.9
 
237,984

Total votes: 8,226,8430
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Roman McAllen (D) defeated Chris Spellmon (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Roman McAllen
Roman McAllen
 
58.5
 
535,855
Image of Chris Spellmon
Chris Spellmon
 
41.5
 
380,091

Total votes: 915,946
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Incumbent Christi Craddick (R) defeated Weston Martinez (R) in the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Christi Craddick
Christi Craddick
 
75.8
 
1,036,964
Image of Weston Martinez
Weston Martinez
 
24.2
 
330,407

Total votes: 1,367,371
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Previous election results


Vacancies

Vacancies are filled by appointment from the governor. Once appointed, commissioners serve until the next general election at which time they can run to be elected for the remainder of the unexpired term.[6]

Duties

As of January 2021, the stated jurisdiction and duties of the commission were:[7]

The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) is the state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations. The Commission exists under provisions of the Texas Constitution and exercises its statutory responsibilities under state and federal laws for regulation and enforcement of the state’s energy industries. The Commission also has regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under federal law including the Surface Coal Mining Control and Reclamation Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Pipeline Safety Acts, Resource Conservation Recovery Act, and Clean Water Act.[8]

Divisions

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Texas Railroad Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

State budget

See also: Texas state budget and finances

The budget for the Texas Railroad Commission in Fiscal Year 2025 was $237,152,107.[9]

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

2023

According to the Texas Tribune, each railroad commissioner was paid an average of $140,937 in 2023.[10]

2022

According to the Texas Tribune, each railroad commissioner was paid an average of $140,937 in 2022.[11]

2021

According to the Texas Tribune, each railroad commissioner was paid an average of $140,937 in 2021.[12]

2020

According to the Texas Tribune, each railroad commissioner was paid an average of $140,937 in 2020.[13]

Historical officeholders

The following is a list of railroad commissioners since 1891:[14]

List of officeholders from 1891-Present
Name Took office Left office
JOHN H. REAGAN June 10, 1891 January 20, 1903
L.L. FOSTER June 10, 1891 April 30, 1895
W.P. McLEAN June 10, 1891 November 20, 1894
L. J. STOREY November 21, 1894 March 28, 1909
N.A. STEDMAN May 1, 1895 January 4, 1897
ALLISON MAYFIELD January 5, 1897 January 23, 1923
O.B. COLQUITT January 21, 1903 January 17, 1911
WILLIAM D. WILLIAMS April 28, 1909 October 1, 1916
JOHN L. WORTHAM January 21, 1911 January 1, 1913
EARLE B. MAYFIELD January 2, 1913 March 1, 1923
CHARLES H. HURDLESTON October 10, 1916 December 31, 1918
CLARENCE E. GILMORE January 1, 1919 January 1, 1929
N.A. NABORS March 1, 1923 January 18, 1925
WILLIAM W. SPLAWN March 1, 1923 August 1, 1924
C.V. TERRELL August 15, 1924 January 1, 1939
LON A. SMITH January 29, 1925 January 1, 1941
PAT M. NEFF January 1, 1929 January 1, 1933
ERNEST O. THOMPSON January 1, 1933 January 8, 1965
JERRY SADLER January 1, 1939 January 1, 1943
OLIN CULBERSON January 1, 1941 June 22, 1961
BEAUFORD JESTER January 1, 1943 January 21, 1947
WILLIAM J. MURRAY, JR. January 21, 1947 April 10, 1963
BEN RAMSEY September 18, 1961 December 31, 1976
JIM C. LANGDON May 28, 1963 December 31, 1977
BYRON TUNNELL January 11, 1965 September 15, 1973
MACK WALLACE September 18, 1973 September 22, 1987
JON NEWTON January 10, 1977 January 3, 1979
JOHN H. POERNER January 2, 1978 January 1, 1981
JAMES E. (JIM) NUGENT January 4, 1979 January 2, 1995
BUDDY TEMPLE January 2, 1981 March 2, 1986
CLARK JOBE March 3, 1986 January 5, 1987
JOHN SHARP January 6, 1987 January 22, 1991
KENT HANCE September 23, 1987 January 2, 1991
ROBERT KRUEGER January 3, 1991 February 10, 1993
LENA GUERRERO January 23, 1991 October 1, 1992
JIM WALLACE October 2, 1992 January 4, 1993
BARRY WILLIAMSON January 5, 1993 January 3, 1999
MARY SCOTT NABERS February 10, 1993 December 9, 1994
CAROLE KEETON RYLANDER December 10, 1994 January 3, 1999
CHARLES R. MATTHEWS January 3, 1995 January 31, 2005
TONY GARZA January 4, 1999 November 18, 2002
Michael WilliamsRepublican Party January 4, 1999 March 31, 2011
VICTOR G. CARRILLO February 19, 2003 January 3, 2011
ELIZABETH AMES JONES February 9, 2005 April 12, 2012
Buddy GarciaRepublican Party April 12, 2012 January 2013
Barry SmithermanRepublican Party July 8, 2011 January 5, 2015
David PorterRepublican Party January 5, 2011 January 9, 2017
Christi CraddickRepublican Party January 2013 Present
Ryan SittonRepublican Party January 5, 2015 January 4, 2021
Wayne ChristianRepublican Party January 9, 2017 Present
James WrightRepublican Party January 4, 2021 Present

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Texas Railroad Commission. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact information

Main Office: 1701 N. Congress
Austin, Texas 78701

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12967
Austin, Texas 78711-2967


See also

Texas State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes