The Texas Railroad Commission 2024
In November there will likely be four candidates for this important agency that regulates oil and gas (yes, oil and gas) in Texas.
The Texas Railroad Commission is part of Texas’ plural executive, and likely the most important regulatory agency in the entire US whose heads are directly answerable to voters. Its three Commissioners serve rotating six-year terms. At least one Commission seat is on the Texas general election ballot every two years. In presidential election years, the only statewide executive position on the ballot is Railroad Commissioner.
The Railroad Commission was established in 1891 to regulate railroads and other transportation-related activities. Regulation of railroads eventually became a federal responsibility. The last remnants of the Commission’s responsibilities over railroads were transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation in 2005.
The Commission’s responsibilities for oil and gas related activities began in 1917, increasing dramatically after the discovery of the East Texas field in 1930. From the 1930s to the 1970s, during an extended worldwide oil glut, the Commission managed the surplus (in order to support oil prices) by limiting oil production from Texas fields. The Commission was effectively displaced as a market regulator by OPEC in the 1970s.
This year, ten candidates are vying to be nominated for the seat currently held by Commissioner Christi Craddick (since December 2012).
Republican Party
Christi Craddick
Christie Clark
Corey Howell
James Matlock
Petra Reyes
Democratic Party
Bill Burch
Katherine Culbert
Green Party
Edwardo Espinoza
Libertarian Party
Lynn Dunlap
Chris Fuller
The Republican and Democratic nominees for the November general election will be chosen in primary elections on Super Tuesday 05.Mar. If none of the Republicans achieve a majority of votes in the primary, there will be a runoff election on Tue.28.May. Green and Libertarian parties select their nominees at their state convention Sat.13.Apr. Both of these parties have a none-of-the-above option, meaning that there is no guarantee that either will have a nominee for November.
Christi Craddick (R)
Commissioner Craddick is the daughter of Tom Craddick, a Texas Legislator and former Speaker of the House. She’s a lawyer who hails originally from Midland. Craddick considers herself not just a regulator of Texas oil and gas, but also its champion … promoting the industry as well as regulating it.
Christie Clark (R)
Christie Clark is an attorney from Houston. Little can be found about her campaign on the internet.
Corey Howell (R)
Information about Corey Howell was not readily available.
James Matlock (R)
Jim Matlock is a businessman from Nacogdoches with varied experience in oil and gas operations. His campaign appears focused on reducing oil and gas waste.
Petra Reyes (R)
Petra Reyes is a businesswoman from Midland currently working in the power infrastructure business. Her policy positions are unclear from her website.
Bill Burch (D)
Bill Burch is a petroleum engineer from Livingston with extensive experience in well blowouts and spills. Bill’s campaign appears focused on addressing environmental issues.
Katherine Culbert (D)
Katherine Culbert is a process safety engineer from Houston. Her campaign appears focused on safety and the environment, corporate responsibility, and transparency and accountability.
Edwardo Espinoza (G)
Eddie Espinoza is a retired teacher from Dallas. His campaign appears focused on cleaning up and eventually phasing out the fossil fuel industry.
Lynn Dunlap (L)
Information about Lynn Dunlap was not readily available.
Chris Fuller (L)
Information about Chris Fuller was not readily available.
If you plan to vote in a major party primary, early voting runs Tue.20.Feb through Fri.01.Mar. Primary election day is Tue.05.Mar. If you wish to participate in Green or Libertarian Party nominating conventions, plan to attend their precinct conventions Tue.12.Mar, county conventions Sat.16.Mar, and state conventions Sat.13.Apr. Note that state law prohibits anyone who voted in a major party primary from being a delegate to a minor party convention.