Texas Railroad Commission

General information
Office Type: | Partisan
Office website: | Official Link
Compensation: | $140,937
2022 FY Budget: | $124,212,726
Total Seats: | 3
Term limits: | None
Structure
Length of term: |  6 years
Authority: | Texas Natural Resource Code, Title 3, Chapter 81
Leadership: | Christi Craddick
Selection Method: | Elected
Elections
Next election: | 2022
Last election: | November 3, 2020
Other Texas Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission

## Contents

* 1 Current officeholders
* 2 Authority
* 3 Qualifications
* 4 Elections
* 4.1 2020
* 4.2 2018
* 4.3 2016
* 4.4 Full history
* 4.4.1 2014
* 5 Vacancies
* 6 Duties
* 7 Divisions
* 8 State budget
* 9 Compensation
* 9.1 2020
* 10 Historical officeholders
* 11 Recent news
* 12 Contact information
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

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[edit]

The current commissioners are Republican Christi Craddick (chair), Wayne Christian (R), and James Wright (R).[2]

## Authority[edit]

The commission's authority is established by the Texas Natural Resource Code.[3]

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[edit]

Qualifications for being a commissioner are outlined in the Texas Natural Resource Code.[3]

To serve on the Texas Railroad Commission a person must be:[3]

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

## Elections[edit]

Commissioners are elected to six-year staggered terms with one commissioner up for election every two years.[3]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2020

General election candidates

* Chrysta Castañeda (Democratic Party)
* James Wright (Republican Party) ✔
* Katija Gruene (Green Party)
* Matt Sterett (Libertarian Party)

* * *

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Democratic primary runoff candidates

* Roberto Alonzo
* Chrysta Castañeda ✔

* * *

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Democratic primary candidates

* Roberto Alonzo ✔
* Chrysta Castañeda ✔
* Kelly Stone
* Mark Watson

* * *

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Republican primary candidates

* Ryan Sitton (Incumbent)
* James Wright ✔

* * *

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Third Party convention candidates

Green Party

* Katija Gruene ✔

Libertarian Party

* Matt Sterett ✔
* Charlie Stevens

* * *

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. Third Party convention candidates

Green Party

* Katija Gruene ✔

Libertarian Party

* Matt Sterett ✔
* Charlie Stevens

* * *

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

### 2018[edit]

See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2018

General election

##### General election for Texas Railroad Commission

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

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Christi Craddick (R)  |

53.2

| 4,376,729

| Roman McAllen (D)  |

43.9

| 3,612,130

| Mike Wright (L) |

2.9

| 237,984

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 8,226,843

|
|

= candidate completed 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

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

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Roman McAllen |

58.5

| 535,855

| Chris Spellmon |

41.5

| 380,091

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 915,946

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

#####  Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

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

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Christi Craddick |

75.8

| 1,036,964

| Weston Martinez |

24.2

| 330,407

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 1,367,371

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

#### Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

* George Reiter (G)

### 2016[edit]

See also: Texas Railroad Commission election, 2016

The general election for one seat on the Texas Railroad Commission was held on November 8, 2016.

Wayne Christian defeated Grady Yarbrough, Mark Miller, and Martina Salinas in the Texas railroad commission election. Texas Railroad Commission, 2016

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  |  Wayne Christian | 53.07% | 4,648,841
| Democratic  | Grady Yarbrough | 38.38% | 3,362,041
| Libertarian  | Mark Miller | 5.28% | 462,251
| Green  | Martina Salinas | 3.28% | 287,105
Total Votes | 8,760,238
Source: Texas Secretary of State

### Full history[edit]

#### 2014[edit]

See also: Texas down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Republican Ryan Sitton won election on November 4, 2014.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2014

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Ryan Sitton | 58.3% | 2,690,624
| Democrat  |  Steve Brown | 36.5% | 1,682,644
| Libertarian  |  Mark Miller | 3.2% | 145,365
| Green  |  Martina Salinas | 2% | 93,800
Total Votes | 4,612,433
Election results via Texas Secretary of State

To view the electoral history dating back to 2000 for the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner, Click [show] to expand the section.

|

2012

See also: Texas state executive official elections, 2012

Incumbent Buddy Garcia (R) did not seek re-election. He was appointed to the post by Gov. Rick Perry (R) in April 2012 to fill the vacancy left by Elizabeth Ames Jones (R), who resigned to run for Texas State Senate. Garcia was only appointed to serve until the November 6 general election.[4]

The winner, Christi Craddick (R), received a full six-year term on the commission.[5]

| Texas Railroad Commissioner 2 General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Christi Craddick | 56.2% | 4,336,499
| Democratic  |  Dale Henry  | 39.6% | 3,057,733
| Libertarian  |  Vivekananda Wall  | 2.2% | 173,001
| Green  |  Chris Kennedy  | 2% | 153,664
Total Votes | 7,720,897
Election results via Texas Secretary of State

Incumbent Barry Smitherman (R) was elected on November 6, 2012. Smitherman was originally appointed to serve out the remaining two years of the term left by commissioner of Michael Williams, who resigned to run for Congress.[5]

Texas Railroad Commissioner 3 General Election, 2012

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Barry Smitherman Incumbent | 73.8% | 4,537,625
| Libertarian  |  Jaime Perez  | 18.3% | 1,127,074
| Green  |  Josh Wendel  | 7.9% | 486,485
Total Votes | 6,151,184
Election results via Texas Secretary of State

2010

On November 2, 2010, David Porter won election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. He defeated Jeff Weems (D), Roger Gary (L) and Art Browning (G) in the general election.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2010

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | David Porter | 59.4% | 2,880,765
| Democratic  |  Jeff Weems  | 36.2% | 1,757,183
| Libertarian  |  Roger Gary  | 2.9% | 138,978
| Green  |  Art Browning  | 1.5% | 72,291
Total Votes | 4,849,217
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.

2008

On November 4, 2008, Michael L. Williams won re-election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. He defeated Mark Thompson (D) and David Floyd (L) in the general election.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2008

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Michael L. Williams Incumbent | 52.1% | 4,003,789
| Democratic  |  Mark Thompson  | 44.4% | 3,406,174
| Libertarian  |  David Floyd  | 3.5% | 270,078
Total Votes | 7,680,041
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.

2006

On November 7, 2006, Elizabeth Ames Jones won re-election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. She defeated Dale Henry (D) and Tabitha Serrano (L) in the general election.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2006

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Elizabeth Ames Jones Incumbent | 54% | 2,269,743
| Democratic  |  Dale Henry  | 41.7% | 1,752,947
| Libertarian  |  Tabitha Serrano  | 4.2% | 177,648
Total Votes | 4,200,338
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.

2004

On November 2, 2004, Victor G. Carrillo won re-election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. He defeated Bob Scarborough (D) and Anthony Garcia (L) in the general election.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2004

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Victor G. Carrillo Incumbent | 55.5% | 3,891,482
| Democratic  |  Bob Scarborough  | 40.9% | 2,872,717
| Libertarian  |  Anthony Garcia  | 3.6% | 252,497
Total Votes | 7,016,696
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.

2002

On November 5, 2002, Michael L. Williams won re-election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. He defeated Sherry Boyles (D), Nazirite R. Flores Perez (L) and Charles L. Mauch (G) in the general election.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2002

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Michael L. Williams Incumbent | 54.8% | 2,407,036
| Democratic  |  Sherry Boyles  | 41.5% | 1,821,751
| Libertarian  |  Nazirite R. Flores Perez  | 2.5% | 110,160
| Green  |  Charles L. Mauch  | 1.2% | 52,322
Total Votes | 4,391,269
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.

2000

On November 7, 2000, Charles R. Matthews won re-election to the office of Texas Railroad Commissioner. He defeated Carolyn Fields (L) and Gary Dugger (G) in the general election.

Texas Railroad Commissioner, 2000

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Charles R. Matthews Incumbent | 77% | 3,633,901
| Libertarian  |  Carolyn Fields  | 15.7% | 738,634
| Green  |  Gary Dugger  | 7.3% | 344,820
Total Votes | 4,717,355
Election results via Texas Secretary of State.

## Vacancies[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

See also: Texas state budget and finances

The budget for the Texas Railroad Commission in Fiscal Year 2022 was $124,212,726.[9]

## Compensation[edit]

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

### 2020[edit]

According to the Texas Tribune, each railroad commissioner was paid an average of $140,937 in 2013.[10]

## Historical officeholders[edit]

The following is a list of railroad commissioners since 1891:[11]

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 Williams | 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 Garcia |  April 12, 2012  |  January 2013
Barry Smitherman | July 8, 2011  |  January 5, 2015
David Porter | January 5, 2011  |  January 9, 2017
Christi Craddick |  January 2013  |  Present
Ryan Sitton |  January 5, 2015  |  January 4, 2021
Wayne Christian | January 9, 2017 | Present
James Wright | January 4, 2021  |  Present

## Recent news[edit]

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.

Texas Railroad Commission - Google News

## Contact information[edit]

Main Office: 1701 N. Congress
Austin, Texas 78701

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

## See also[edit]

Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis

|
|

Texas State Executive Offices Texas State Legislature Texas Courts |  2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Texas elections: 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 |  Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

## External links[edit]

|  Suggest a link

|

* Railroad Commission of Texas

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Texas Tribune, "Railroad Commission is a Stop, Not a Destination," June 24, 2013
2. ↑ Railroad Commission of Texas, "Commissioners," accessed January 25, 2021
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Texas Natural Resource Code, "Chapter 81" accessed January 25, 2021
4. ↑ CBS Dallas/Fort Worth, "Perry Appoints Garcia To Texas Railroad Commission," April 13, 2012
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Amarillo Globe News, "Poll: Craddick, Parker lead Railroad Commission races," May 28, 2012
6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `elect`
7. ↑ Railroad Commission of Texas, "Authority and Jurisdiction," accessed January 25, 2021
8. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
9. ↑ Texas Legislature, "State Budget 2021-2023," accessed September 29, 2021
10. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Railroad Commission - Positions - Commission," accessed January 25, 2021
11. ↑ Railroad Commission of Texas, "Railroad Commissioners Past through Present," accessed January 25, 2021

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