texas railroad commissioner candidates 2022 texas railroad commissioner candidates 2022

Texas Railroad Commissioner Qualifications: What training, experience and background qualify you for this position? Railroad Commissioners are elected statewide to six-year, staggered terms. There are still a lot of votes out in rural counties, where Donald Trump performed well in 2020, but it's also worth noting that Senator Bernie Sanders did well in those counties during the Democratic presidential primary. They like what I do with oil and gas in Texas, Christian said. Those issues include: the Texas blackout last year (caused in large part by problems along the natural gas supply chain that the commission regulates); the role big industry donations play in Railroad Commission policy decisions; the current high price of natural gas; and the routine practice of gas flaring in the Texas oil fields, which wastes . Fonda was also there to bring money from her climate-change-focused political action committee to state political races and to whip up votes for the Democrats. Texas comptroller is up for grabs in the 2022 midterm, along with commissioners of land and agriculture, and a seat on the Railroad Commission. Updated: Mar 2, 2023 / 11:20 AM CST. Get Involved Meanwhile, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which regulates power plants, drafted and implemented weatherization rules in October. Through his years of campaigning, Christian has often urged voters to support the only Christian on the ballot. He says the slogan is a way to get his name out, which is especially useful when running for an obscure political office that most people dont know much about. AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - With some well-known state officials, such as State Senator Kel Seliger, not seeking re-election in 2022 and filing open for primary election candidates, the bal By 8:30 p.m., it became clear that he was the Democratic nominee for the 35th Congressional District, all but ensuring a win in the general election. And we basically have the commission saying, hey, just trust us.'. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. Texas Election Results: GOP candidates keep . Against independent and government findings, he says commission regulators and industry did not mess up during the blackout. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. The Railroad Commission, which got its name in 1891 when it was created to regulate transportation tariffs, generally toils in obscurity. Another candidate, Dawayne Tipton, who is endorsed by all three of the states largest papers, said he doesnt fault Stogner. This site maintained by Union Labor The Green Party of . I didnt have any grand schemes with it. And I thought, oh my God, yes, what if I got naked or almost naked on top of it? Stogner said. Theres this really coherent story of regulatory capture and of special interests having total power and control here, Warford said. Sure, the Stogner post was clickbait. Another candidate, Marvin Sarge Summers, died earlier this month on the campaign trail after crashing into a tanker truck in Midland. While it no longer helps set global oil prices, as it did in the forties and fifties, the Railroad Commission still oversees fossil-fuel production and pipelines. But today, with two-thirds of the Hidalgo vote in, Mr. ORourke was at 81 percent, suggesting he would do far better in the primary for governor than he did for Senate. A Federal Judge in Amarillo Could Effectively Ban the Abortion Pill. The San Antonio Express-News described the video as disgraceful and pulled its endorsement of Stogner. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. When Stogner announced her endorsement of Warford in late September, she called him not a typical Democrat and pragmatic and pro-business.. Im going to have to stew on it.. Its not something that I would personally do or undertake, he told the Chronicle. We review social media, and Stogner would never have been our pick had the video appeared before we made our recommendation, the paper said in an editorial. I didnt realize it would incite the rage and anger that it did from the press, she told the Chronicle. A woman running for railroad commissioner in the Lone Star State has raised eyebrows over her racy campaign video in which she straddles an oil pump wearing little more than a cowboy hat and boots. Q for Warford: What is your response to criticism from your opponent, who is describing you as a left-wing extremist? A lifelong conservative businessman, Wayne Christian was elected as our 50thTexas Railroad Commissioner in November 2016. And right now, Texas oil and gas has a reputation as not being particularly clean, because the Texas Railroad Commission doesnt enforce the rules, doesnt hold that actors accountable.. Two is decreasing our utility prices because Texas is the energy capital of the world. Suggest a missing candidate here. We have jurisdiction over intrastate pipelines [that are completely within state borders], which is why you should ask why people died in the freeze, Stogner said. Despite the old-timey-sounding name, a seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas has been called one of the most consequential climate-related offices in the country. He added, My opponents are mudslinging out of desperation because I am the only candidate in this race with the endorsements, campaign infrastructure, and resources necessary to win this race.. To learn more about how election results work, read this article. The dental floss, Vaseline and variety of plastic-wrapped goods were intended to underscore to the dozens of attendees the importance of oil and gas to everyday life. They might know about it now because of Sarah Stogner, said Tom Slocum Jr., a 38-year-old engineering consultant from the Houston area who is one of the four surviving candidates in the Republican primary. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Starting Monday when early voting kicks off, Texans will choose who they want as the states next railroad commissioner a race that typically doesnt garner much attention for an office that has nothing to do with railroads and everything to do with oil and gas regulation. Christian graduated from high school as valedictorian, and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.B.A. The video starts with the sound of work boots crunching on bone-dry West Texas soil, as a man in red coveralls and a hard hat walks across a field. The three-member commission has jurisdiction over pipelines, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, the LP-gas industry and coal and uranium surface mining. This is how Im going to communicate to the masses about whats happening out here, because people are visual.. Voters will decide the GOP nominee for a commission seat in a May 24 runoff election. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Q: Why did you decide to run for election? To learn more about how election results work, read this article. Some friends suggested that she post the video on TikTok to call attention to leaking wells in West Texas, according to the paper. Three is protecting our air and our water. The Aransas County Elections & Voter Registration Building, . There was one campaign in particular she wanted to talk about. What is the least-visited state park in Texas? The top two candidates in races where no one reaches that threshold will meet in runoff contests on May 24. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Advocates are pushing for legislation to help them. Its amazing how many people have no clue what a railroad commissioner does, Scott Hommel, chair of the Republican Party of Lamar County, told the audience. Government. We cant do this at the cost of safe air., Michael Williams, a railroad commissioner from 1999 to 2011 who went on to lead the Texas Education Agency, said in an interview that while Christian is a good friend, Im impressed with Stogner. In 1996, Christian was elected to the House of Representatives as the first Republican elected from Deep East Texas since Reconstruction after the Civil War. If youre not paying attention to this years Republican primary for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commissionand relatively few voters areyou should be. Vote 2022 Texas; . No candidate is above 30 percent at the moment; Ruben Ramirez leads with 28 percent. During the course of the debate, local Republicans would ask the candidates incumbent Railroad Commission Chair Wayne Christian, a 71-year-old former state representative and Grammy-nominated gospel singer, and challenger 37-year-old oil and gas lawyer Sarah Stogner what the state has done to improve the states power grid after last years deadly winter storm, what they plan to do about the practice of burning off natural gas through flaring and how strictly the state should regulate the oil and gas industry. Neither Christian nor a second GOP challenger, Tom Slocum, has responded to requests for comment by the Chronicle. He was elected statewide as the 12th Texas Agriculture Commissioner in 2014 and re-elected to his second term in office in 2018; followed by a third term in 2022, receiving almost 4.5 million votes--more votes than any candidate for Texas Agricultural Commissioner has ever received. v. t. e. The 2022 Rhode Island Attorney General election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of Rhode Island. We dont let that hope die, because we know we deserve so much better.. This year, he says, his party has a chance. All regulations should be based on sound science and not speculation. Despite the misleading name, theRailroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is the primary state agency responsible for regulating Texas oil and gas industry. The filing deadline is now past, and eight Republicans, three Democrats and a Libertarian have said they will run for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission to replace David Porter, who unexpectedly decided not to run for re-election. 2022 Election. 2:28 PM on Feb 17, 2022 CST. Q: What would be your top priorities in another term as railroad commissioner? But this is an opportunity to reaffirm our principles and expectations, the editorial board wrote. Millions of Texans have rare diseases. Greg Abbott may be an even greater challenge. Christi Craddick, James Wright and Wayne Christian. I want to talk about winterizing our infrastructure pipelines. Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke hosts a rally at Fair Park in Dallas after announcing his campaign, on Nov. 21, 2021. On Twitter . Christian, who is seeking a second term, said he believes his experience and perspective will still benefit the state and wants to make sure Texans have access to cheap, plentiful and reliable energy.. Christian is a former gospel singer turned financial adviser turned longtime Texas politician. Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Peter Neronha won re-election to a second term. The U.S. will hold its midterm elections on Nov. 8. The Railroad Commission of Texas Look Back at a Year of Achievements and Growth for the RRC in 2022 Year in Review Publication Christi Craddick Chairman Wayne Christian Commissioner Jim Wright Commissioner Recent Announcement RRC Online General Maintenance Sunday February 24, 2023 Read More Announcements Railroad Commission of Texas More than a year after the winter freeze, the Railroad Commission hasnt crafted rules for how oil and gas companies should prepare for extreme weather. Texas Railroad Commissioner Election Results 2022 - The New York Times Advertisement Senate House Uncalled House Races Top Races Governor Needle Ga. Senate Runoff Senator Raphael Warnock. He touts his experience in the oil patch and has attacked the Railroad Commission for failing to act quickly to ensure that natural gas pipelines and compressors are able to withstand cold weather. This is the lone Texas district that is deemed competitive, with a 2020 presidential margin within five points. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. This vitally important election of one of the states top energy regulators will have a significant impact on whether Texass natural gas infrastructure freezes up again and contributes to widespread blackouts, as it did a year ago. Fleeing for Your Life? Democrat Attorney General candidates are in the same boat. In the increasingly blue Harris County, more Republicans voted early (105,482) than Democrats (96,725). 1, there is no ethics filing or ethics complaint against me right now in the state of Texas, Christian said. A video posted by the candidate to social media shows Stogner sitting topless atop an oil pump jack before her logo appears across the screen. The two main contenders in this year's race for commissioner are incumbent Republican Wayne Christian and Democrat Luke Warford. Published: Feb. 18, 2022 at 6:25 AM PST MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - The Permian Basin Association of Pipeliners held a panel for Republican candidates for Railroad Commissioner last night at. He and the woman filming the video were invited . Irrespective of the length of the unexpired term of the appointee's predecessor, the appointee may . The Chairman is chosen by the Commissioners. Joe Gaines, an oil and gas businessman, attended the event and said he wanted to see if it could help him make up his mind about who to support in the May 24 election. in General Business in 1973. Christian: We have made sure as Senate Bill three allowed, that we work together with PUC, which regulates electricity and ERCOT, weve worked with them to make sure that we are communicating at all times, that there are emergency factors in place, that there are no walls between agencies to protect the public and provide the maximum support during any type of emergency action such as cold or hot., Warford: We need to focus on the producers that are producing the most and are most important for our system. Statewide Races Governor Current: Greg Abbott (R) TPI: R-54% Background In the 2022 midterm elections, the top race on ballots in Texas will be for governor. Lee esta historia en espaol. And thats having a huge negative impact on people across the state. But I am, and have I got your attention now? The Democrat has a background working in energy consulting and policy. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Against the conclusions of researchers and the complaints of landowners, Christian says the commission is doing a good job when it comes to things like gas flaring and plugging abandoned oil wells. I want to talk about groundwater. When you have boobs, you get held to different standards. (A few months after losing the primary, Moutos lost his job as a state assistant attorney general, after he posted tweets that the Texas Tribune described as threatening violence against progressives, spouting racist and transphobic rhetoric, casting doubt over the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic, and sharingQAnon conspiracy theories.). Read our privacy policy for more information. Inside the Bro-tastic Party Mansions Upending a Historic Austin Community. Candidates The following is a list of candidates running for office in the 2022 Texas Railroad Commissioner election. The number of rejected ballots in Harris County alone has surpassed the statewide total during the 2020 general election. I knew it would be controversial. Q: Your opponent Luke Warford has accused you of being corrupt due to campaign contributions you have received from the oil and gas industry. Railroad Commissioner (Rep) . Hommel, walking between tables in the audience, seemed impressed. We are independent and not affiliated with any investors, shareholders, political parties or interestgroups. What are we angry about? He was driving a Cadillac Escalade that hit the rear of a tanker truck. If the incumbent had been more proactive when the event was actually happening and reached out to ERCOT and implored them not to shed that critical load, which compounded our power generation problems, we wouldnt have been in nearly as bad of a situation as we were, Tipton said. Its name remains problematic, noted Sunset Advisory Commission staff in 2016, in recommending it be rechristened the Texas Energy Resources Commission. Democrat Luke Warford is challenging incumbent Wayne Christian for his seat. Nothing illegal or immoral, he added, before listing all of his industry endorsements. Its daily. Sarah Stogner is one candidate who has . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Recently, Christians campaign said it would finally drop the slogan after being called bigoted by Warford, who is Jewish. Railroad Commissioner Runoff: Texas Primary Results (R) 8:51 PM EDT, Thu October 13, 2022 CNN projects Wayne Christian will be the Republican nominee for Texas railroad. Here's the lineup: Gary Gates, Republican. Lawmakers havent seemed interested, so Christian said he instead helped spur the agency to change its logo, which now has Leading Texas energy and listing oil and gas, coal and pipelines beneath larger RRC letters. The Railroad Commission of Texas has been called one of the most consequential climate-related offices in the country. When he accepted a $100,000 campaign donation from a company with business before the Railroad Commission, his GOP primary opponent Sara Stogner accused him of taking bribes.. Since taking office, Commissioner Christian has been appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) as the Official Representative of Texas. Three days later, the group headquartered in Center that was behind the dump gave Christian a $100,000 campaign contribution. The New York Timess results team is a group of graphics editors, engineers and reporters who build and maintain software to publish election results in real-time as they are reported by results providers. . General election candidates for the Republican primary are: incumbent Wayne Christian, Tom Slocum Jr., Sarah Stogner, Marvin Summers, and Dawayne Tipton for Texas Railroad Commission on March 1, 2022. The winner will face Democrat Luke Warford in the November general election. I have real oil and gas experience in Texas, unlike Wayne, Slocum said. Its painful to rescind a recommendation. Do you value our journalism? https://twitter.com/Sarah4RRC/status/1493041677266829315?v. Updated Mar. Sarah will make sure Texas operators can utilize the latest technology to tackle the toughest operational hurdles. Zapata flipped to Donald Trump in 2020. And the reason that that happened is because the Railroad Commission hadnt mapped out who the critical producers now the Railroad Commission was directed to create a supply chain map to try to address that problem. Christian: I have never allowed a political contribution to influence my decisions in elected office. They said I needed money. Governor Greg Abbott We expect candidates for public office to model civil discourse and decorum worthy of the publics trust. The two main contenders in this years race for commissioner are incumbent Republican Wayne Christian and Democrat Luke Warford. Christian said he has never allowed a political contribution to influence my decisions in elected office and said the agencys general counsel advised him to approve the permit for the waste facility with the requirement that the company use a geosynthetic clay liner to protect the environment and remain consistent with other similar permits granted by the Commission. , I am running a positive campaign based on my record, Christian said in the email. The Railroad Commission staff recommended against the proposal, but Christian voted in favor of it. Railroad commissioners just arent enforcing the existing rules. Although there are four candidates, the race has been focused on Christian and Warford. This year is different. Reporting by Lalena Fisher, J. David Goodman and Alicia Parlapiano; production by Amanda Cordero and Jessica White; editing by Wilson Andrews, Ben Koski and Kenan Davis. It was a Hail Mary to energize her campaign. Race called by The Associated Press. Texas Railroad Commissioner Republican primary Republican primary runoff Election details Filing deadline: December 13, 2021 Primary: March 1, 2022 Primary runoff: May 24, 2022 General: November 8, 2022 Pre-election incumbent (s): Wayne Christian (Republican) How to vote Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Texas Ballotpedia analysis Incumbent Wayne Christian and oil and gas lawyer Sarah Stogner pitched voters in Paris, Texas, ahead of the May 24 election. The IOGCC is one of the oldest and largest interstate compacts in the nation, formed over 80 years ago when several states joined together to resolve common issues in the industry without federal intervention. Multiple candidates are presently running in the March 1, 2022 Republican Primary to be the next Railroad Commissioner of Texas. Jessica Cisneros has dipped below 50 percent, with rural Starr and Zapata Counties still not reporting. After college, Christian found success in the music industry with his country/gospel band, the Mercy River Boys and went on to be finalist for a Grammy Award in 1979. Despite the agencys power over Texas largest industry including the natural gas system, a crucial element of the Texas power grid that failed last year during a powerful winter storm, leaving millions of people without power for days elections for the three-member board that oversees it typically dont generate much attention from voters. Earlier in the day, Greg Casar was praying for a 50-percent-plus-one win. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. After Rice-Tims asked about flaring, Stogner said she wanted to ensure that oil production companies are not releasing excessive carbon emissions and polluting the air. A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Odessa Headlines does not endorse or support any candidate for elected office. The incumbent calls himself a proven conservative fighter and pledges to not bend the knee to extremist special interest groups who want to halt the production of oil and gas. Stogner says that as a regulator she would make sure bad operators are held accountable, and good operators are recognized so we can keep our oil and gas industry strong for future generations. Finally, theres Democrat Warford, who talks a lot about the failure of the power grid and the role of natural gaswhich the Railroad Commission regulates. Your gift helps pay for everything you find ontexasstandard.organdKUT.org. One November evening in far West Texas, Sarah Stogner decided to strip down to pasties and her underwear, plus boots and a cowboy hat, and climb onto an oil pumpjack while a small film crew watched. Updated: Sep 26, 2022 / 12:31 PM CDT AUSTIN (KXAN) The Democrat running to unseat the Republican chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas announced an endorsement Monday from the. Warford is a former business consultant and Democratic Party staffer who wants to be the first Democrat on the commission since 1994, when Mary Scott Nabers lost to Carole Keeton Rylander. On these committees, he had direct oversight of the Railroad Commission and accumulated a strong record of standing for free markets and against burdensome regulations. Railroad Commissioner: x-$3,750 -5000: Justice, Supreme Court g: x-$3,750 -5000: Linda Coffee Argued Roe v. Wade. The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools. Progressives have gone all in on the Cisneros-Cuellar race. What is your response to his allegations against you? . To me, the most astonishing thing about the Texas primaries is that in 2020 there were more than a dozen competitive House districts in the state. But what weve got is a map with no transparency with the commission. The following is a list of candidates running for office in the 2022 Texas Railroad Commissionerelection. Umm, its tough, Hommel said. I think they are doing the bidding of a very small number of oil and gas executives. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. We expect candidates for public office to model civil discourse and decorum worthy of the publics trust, its editorial board said. Stogner told the audience she wants to focus on reducing groundwater contamination and air pollution in Texas and tried to reassure them that shes sufficiently conservative by saying that she opposes abortion, favors gun rights and does not want to defund police departments. Governor, incumbent Dan Patrick . Stogner said she is used to being objectified in the male-dominated industryI understand that when I walk into a room or a space, people dont assume that Im a lawyer or that Im competent on anything to do with oil and gas, she told the paper. He and Abbott will go head to head in November. So lets put our clothes on and talk about the issues, she added. No. (The Sunset Commission chose not to adopt the suggestion.). The race is wide open, according to a recent University of Houston survey. Gulf of Mexico warming at faster rate than global ocean, study finds, At these old-school restaurants in Texas, you feel like its an extension of your home, Greg Abbott says if these corporate tax breaks return, renewable energy should be excluded. The chart below shows the historical percentage of voters who have pledged to vote for each candidate in the 2022 Texas Railroad Commissionerelection. Stogner released the five-second video on Super Bowl Sunday in a tweet with the caption: They said I needed money. And, if all thats not enough to draw your interest, the race has taken three unexpected turns during the past couple of weeksinvolving death, alleged corruption, and barely covered breasts. For years. She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University, followed by a Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Get your TribFest tickets by May 31 and save big! Warford, a 33-year-old Austinite, has centered his campaign on the RRCs role in the power grids failure during the 2021 February winter storm and wanting to make more changes to ensure the grids security in the future.