Texas Railroad Commission

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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

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) 

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 Democratic primary runoff candidates

• Roberto Alonzo
• Chrysta Castañeda ✔ 

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

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

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= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

 Republican primary candidates

• Ryan Sitton (Incumbent) 
• James Wright ✔

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Third Party convention candidates

Green Party

• Katija Gruene ✔ 

Libertarian Party

• Matt Sterett ✔ 
• Charlie Stevens 

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

Green Party

• Katija Gruene ✔ 

Libertarian Party

• Matt Sterett ✔ 
• Charlie Stevens 

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= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

2018[edit]

See also: Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2018

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.

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]

• Railroad Commission of Texas

Footnotes[edit]

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