The Texas Railroad Commission Race 2024: This Is RRC Central
Tracking and following the most electric race in the United States.
Texas is holding an election for one of three seats on the Texas Railroad Commission on November 5, 2024. The primary is March 5, 2024, and a primary runoff is May 28, 2024. The filing deadline is December 11, 2023.
There are no official candidates yet for this election, however there are some who have taken steps to ensure their opportunity to be on the 2024 ballot. Here are the rumored candidates.
About Sarah Stogner:
I am not a career politician. I’m a mom, a small business owner, an entrepreneur, and lawyer with actual energy experience. I know the complex ins and outs of energy. I understand the needs of all sides -- the big companies, small businesses, families and individuals. I know how to oversee energy so that everyone comes out ahead.
I live on a ranch in Crane County, the center of the Permian Basin. There, I see the real impacts of the Railroad Commission’s failure every day. We’re wrestling with contaminated groundwater. I say to people all over this state: When you turn on the tap, you trust that your water is safe, right? What do you do when the people who are supposed to protect your water supply are bought and paid for?
I travel around digging up and exposing zombie wells that are leaking gases and toxic waters, poisoning aquifers, killing plants, and creating all sorts of dangers. You can see tons of videos of this across my social media channels. The Railroad Commission has a responsibility here. It’s failing, and Texans are paying the price.
I love Texas. As Railroad Commissioner I’ll represent all Texans and serve the best interests of our state. We don’t need new regulations -- we just need to make sure the ones in place are 1) fair, 2) affordable, and above all, 3) must work.
Personally, I’m ready to take a pay cut and move to Austin, because this job is so important. I’m qualified, experienced, knowledgeable, committed and can do the job right. It’s about leaving a legacy of making Texas stronger. Safer. And sustainable.
I’m one of many people across this state who are making the choice to get involved.
I want to tell you about an experience I had recently that shows why I left the Republican party and think we need something new. I posted on social media about the acquittal of Ken Paxton. Since I called out the corruption, some people responded that I must be running as a Democrat. How sad is that?! There's nothing conservative about corruption! I said no, I’m not running as a Democrat. So then people said I must be a RINO. Nope, not that either.
It is so clear: people believe that there are only two options for politics. It’s time to prove that idea wrong. It’s time for another way -- a way forward. My message to fellow Texans -- especially those who, like me, consider ourselves real conservatives: Let’s get the government we deserve. One that works for us. That will only happen when we get past this “us or them” mentality. There is another way.
Bio from Sarah Stogner’s campaign website
About Christi Craddick:
Christi Craddick is in the forefront of the newest wave of conservatives in leadership roles in Texas. Raised in a strong conservative household, retained as legal counsel by prominent Texas firms, and shaped by more than a decade as a trusted political adviser, Craddick has set a clear standard of integrity, self-reliance and innovation in her position as Commissioner at the Railroad Commission.
Since her tenure on the Commission began in November 2012, Craddick has pushed to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of an energy industry that is driving the state’s unparalleled economic success. In the process, she has repeatedly proven that sensible regulations, careful listening and plain talk can foster innovation that has solidified Texas leadership in the energy sector.
Making it a top priority, Craddick has worked to educate the public about the oil and gas industry and its impact in Texas. She has fought against Washington’s one-size-fits-all environmental policies that would kill jobs and stifle energy production growth. Craddick has advocated for recycling in the oilfields, helping to drive the percentage of reclaimed water upwards, an essential achievement in a state enduring a multi-year drought.
As part of her efforts to modernize the agency, Craddick has championed an Information Technology overhaul at the Commission, seeking improvements that would upgrade the Geographic Information System, increase public access to the agency’s data, and speed up inspections and permitting times.
A native of Midland, the heart of the Permian Basin, Craddick earned both her Bachelor’s Degree as a Plan II graduate and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas at Austin. During her career as an attorney, she specialized in oil and gas, water, tax issues, electric deregulation and environmental policy.
Following the example of her father and mother, Craddick has been drawn to public service and politics. As president of a grassroots advocacy firm, she took the lead on work in coalition building in the public policy arena and development and implementation of issue strategies.
Craddick serves her community as an active member of organizations including the State Bar of Texas, University of Texas Liberal Arts Alumni Advisory Council, and Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation. Christi resides in Austin with her daughter, Catherine, and is an active member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
Bio from the Texas Railroad Commission website
From Democrat Candidate Bill Burch:
Transparency (in a governance context) refers to being open and honest. This requires disclosure of all relevant information. I fundamentally hold this to be a true belief and so that you, the voter, can make informed choices on who should lead I make it a leading point of my campaign.
The campaign YouTube channel (https://lnkd.in/eVSsQwad) is set up for exactly that - transparency and accountability: the two pillars of good governance and my example to you of what I want to see in our government. Like and follow me along the campaign trail!
Do I make mistakes? Absolutely! And when I’m wrong I’ll be the first to admit to it.
Also, please donate to burch4trrc.com to help bring this kind of transparency and accountability, conservation, integrity, and real operational experience in safety and prevention to the worst run agency in Texas!
Bio from Bill Burch’s social media announcements
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) is the state's oldest regulatory agency, established to protect the public's interests. Despite its name, the RRC does not regulate railroads but focuses on the oil and gas industry in Texas, with a mission to safeguard the public, environment, and economy of the state.
The RRC traces its roots back to the early 20th century, with significant events like the Spindle Top oil discovery in 1901. Since then, the commission has played a crucial role in shaping Texas' energy landscape.
The RRC has extended its influence beyond hydrocarbons by regulating surface mining of coal and uranium too. By managing and overseeing these activities, the commission has contributed to shaping the broader energy landscape in Texas.
Some believe this is how carbon will be shaped in Texas as well.
The current commissioners are all republicans consisting of Wayne Christian, Christi Craddick, and Jim Wright.