Ben Rowen is a senior editor at Texas Monthly for News & Politics. deadline: Jan. 31 Early voting starts: Feb. 14 Early voting ends: Feb. 25 Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Absentee/mail-in deadline: March 1 PARIS, Texas Deep in Northeast Texas, near the replica Eiffel Tower topped with a red cowboy hat, Cynthia Rice-Tims decorated tables inside the Celebrate It event hall with household products made from petroleum. Christian: I am running for re-election because I feel my experience and perspective can still benefit Texans. Texas railroad commissioner candidates in Republican primary March 1 Stogners seminude stunt is only the latest twist in what has become the strangest Republican primary campaign for Railroad Commission in decades. Filing in the 2022 Republican or Democratic Primary Election - Texas I disagree that were for all. In Railroad Commission runoff, GOP candidates court North Texas voters who want them to change agency's confusing name Incumbent Wayne Christian and oil and gas lawyer Sarah Stogner. Wayne Christian for Railroad Commissioner But the catchphrase has struck many others as insensitive or anti-Semitic, a critique that came up in 2014 when Christian faced a primary opponent who was Jewish. Texas Railroad Commissioner Primary Election Results, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/03/01/us/elections/results-texas-railroad-commissioner.html, Edgar Sandoval, reporting from San Antonio, Jennifer Medina, reporting from Laredo, Texas. Christian is a former gospel singer turned financial adviser turned longtime Texas politician. 2022 Texas elections - Wikipedia And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. The top positions include, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, and railroad commissioner. The number of rejected ballots in Harris County alone has surpassed the statewide total during the 2020 general election. Suggest a missing candidate here. Texas Railroad Commission Candidates - Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody Read our privacy policy for more information. I didnt even know who she was until I saw the ad., Former Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton, who was upset in the 2020 Republican primary election after serving one term, said he thought Stogner was smart and had the technical and legal expertise required for the job, but her video probably dismissed any legitimate shot she had at winning the race.. All regulations should be based on sound science and not speculation. Q: How would you address further securing the power grid as we head into winter? 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. But thats boring. Race to be one of Texas' top oil and gas regulators heading to a runoff The top two candidates in races where no one reaches that threshold will meet in runoff contests on May 24. With now more than 95 percent reporting, it appears Monica De La Cruz will avoid a runoff and clinch the Republican nomination for the open seat in the 15th Congressional District. EXCLUSIVE: Texas Railroad Commission candidate appearing nearly nude on pumpjack has 'no regrets' By Greg Groogan Published February 28, 2022 News FOX 26 Houston Railroad Commission candidate appears nearly nude on pump jack during campaign He and Abbott will go head to head in November. Hommel, who won election earlier this year to chair the Lamar County Republicans, said the event helped the crowd learn more about the candidates and the agency that many Texans dont really understand. A year ago, the failure of the Texas grid, in large part the result of natural gas infrastructure freezing, led to as many as seven hundred deaths. Stogner, he argued, will over-regulate the oil and gas industry. Incumbent Wayne Christian and oil and gas lawyer Sarah Stogner pitched voters in Paris, Texas, ahead of the May 24 election. 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. Christian was up first and talked about how Texas has exported liquified natural gas to help Europe during its energy crisis following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the importance of oil and gas to the nations economy and how Democrats are trying to abolish the industry in the name of slowing climate change. To learn more about how election results work, read this article. Ive been trying. Everyday your story is being told by someone. . Stogner, who lives on a ranch in Monahans, west of Odessa, said Christian is a politician bought and controlled by donors. None of that is necessarily illegal, but Houston Chronicle columnist Chris Tomlinson didnt mince words when he wrote this week that Christian demonstrated what at best is a profound disregard for ethics, and at worst, engaged in public corruption. Christian told Texas Monthly via email that the Railroad Commissions general counsel advised him to approve the permit as long as the facility used a modern clay liner, which it did. But this is an opportunity to reaffirm our principles and expectations, the editorial board wrote. We dont let that hope die, because we know we deserve so much better.. The Railroad Commission of Texas has been called one of the most consequential climate-related offices in the country. There is no office that is more corrupt than the Texas Railroad Commission, Warford says. Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2022 (March 1 - Ballotpedia 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.. Though I will not be contesting the outcome of this election, I will not be going away, he said in a statement. For example, the Express-News endorsed Nick Moutos in the 2020 Republican primary for the Thirty-fifth Congressional District, calling him easily the most qualified of the Republican candidates. Yet, just a few days before, Moutos had tweeted If @TheDemocrats want civil war, theyd do well to remember #WeThePeople own more guns than the entire population of #America. Unlike Stogner, Moutos didnt say please., When I raised the matter of the Moutos post with Stogner, she replied: I have boobs; welcome to having boobs, Russell. Christian will continue to fight to ensure the public is protected from bad actors and that all decisions are consistent and predictable to give a sense of certainty to the thousands of business owners and operators who regularly deal with the Railroad Commission. Updated: 7:36 AM CST February 16, 2022 TEXAS, USA A candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission is facing backlash for a campaign video showing the Republican wearing pasties atop an. Stogner, who is not accepting campaign contributions in her first campaign for public office, said she wants to focus on helping the oil and gas industry make more progress as responsible stewards of the states natural resources. When he finished, Rice-Tims, Hommel and the audience started asking questions starting with the name thing. Christian is a former gospel singer turned financial adviser. Its actually undermining the market.. Three is protecting our air and our water. And those buyers are willing to pay more for lower emissions, oil and gas. 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. 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.. EXCLUSIVE: Texas Railroad Commission candidate appearing nearly nude on Todays primary marks the first statewide test of the new voting law, which has already led to a significant surge in rejections of absentee ballots because of new identification requirements. Five seconds of me scantily clad on top of a pump jack.. Railroad Commissioners are elected statewide to six-year, staggered terms. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. . Odessa Headlines does not endorse or support any candidate for elected office. , Weatherford PD searching for missing 80-year-old, 2nd arrest in SA dog attack that killed elderly man, Killeen arrests several individuals in warrant roundup, TX man gets probation for videoing woman changing, PD: Edinburg bus driver arrested after child left, Biden Admin does not want TX lawsuit in Lubbock, Friday Night Lights star choked ex-wife, police, Get to know our book expert, Ciera Pasturel, Cardio and more for a healthy heart, according to, Insulated doghouses and other accessories to keep, ATX City Council looking at petition requirements, Racial disparities in asthma-related ER visits for, APD provides details surrounding fatal hit-and-run, Officials announce $93M for chronically unhoused, Heres why your car looks disgusting today. Please tell me how I am supposed to get the medias attention so I can discuss these important issues, she wrote. So lets put our clothes on and talk about the issues, she added. 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. Now, Democrats are catching up, Undocumented Motherhood explores family separation, challenges in healthcare access, Democrats and Republicans in Collin County vie for open Texas House District 70 seat, Amazon Prime ups its music game, within limits, Texas Standard for Nov. 3, 2022: Churches arent supposed to endorse candidates but some big Texas churches are, Early voting is underway in Texas: Heres how to vote in the 2022 midterm election, In a Central Texas county, high schoolers are jailed on felony charges for vaping what could be legal hemp, As Texas STAAR test goes fully online, teachers feel defeated, Texas Education Agency projects confidence. Why Does He Get to Make That Call? Disclosure: The University of Houston has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Texas Election Information. Commissioner Wayne Christian. But what weve got is a map with no transparency with the commission. Rice-Tims is president of the Republican Women of Red River Valley, which co-hosted the late April forum for the two GOP candidates facing each other in a runoff election for Railroad Commission of Texas, and she also wanted to emphasize that the state agency overseeing the states oil and gas industry has nothing to do with railroads. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission ofiSideWith.com. Texans will choose between four candidates: Republican incumbent Wayne Christian, Democratic nominee Luke Warford and two third-party candidates Libertarian Jaime Andres Diez and Hunter Wayne Crow of the Green Party. The two main contenders in this year's race for commissioner are incumbent Republican Wayne Christian and Democrat Luke Warford. The 2022 Austin mayoral election was held on November 8, 2022 to elect the next mayor of Austin, Texas. Tipton has won the support of the editorial boards of most of the states major papers, including the Houston Chronicle and the Dallas Morning News. Candidate Interview: Railroad Commission Candidate Tom Slocum The Working Families Party sent out a memo noting that its volunteers had knocked on 80,000 doors in the state. iSideWith.com may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our affiliate partnerships with retailers. Primary elections were held on March 1, with runoffs held on May 24 for primary candidates who did not receive a majority of the vote. v. t. e. The 2022 Florida Chief Financial Officer election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Chief Financial Officer of Florida. A GOP primary that saw one candidate die in a campaign-related car accident, a second pose nearly nude on top of a pump jack and a third get accused of corruption has taken yet another unexpected turn. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? After losing in the GOP runoff elections, Stogner endorsed Warford for this race. The publicity stunts and mudslinging are a sign of desperation. He and the woman filming the video were invited . If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Christian was asked to explain what hes done in his six years on the Railroad Commission to change the agencys name. Teen arrested regarding fentanyl overdose death, The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools, How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season, PHOTOS: Some of Austins most modern homes, Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The winner will face Democrat Luke Warford in the November general election. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 2022. In 1987, after gaining valuable experience in business, banking and real estate, Wayne Christian opened a financial services businesshe is a three time AIG top advisor nationwide. 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. Sarah will make sure Texas operators can utilize the latest technology to tackle the toughest operational hurdles. 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. David Prindle, a political science professor at UT Austin who wrote a book on the Railroad Commission, says thats a position commissioners have held basically since the start of the Texas oil industry. Texas Railroad Commissioner Qualifications: What training, experience and background qualify you for this position? Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. Published March 1, 2022. 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. 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. I didnt realize it would incite the rage and anger that it did from the press, she told the Chronicle. And I want to change that.. 2022 election: Texas' statewide candidates voter guide Q: Why did you decide to run for election? A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. The incumbent, Railroad Commission Chair Wayne Christian, is facing corruption allegations after he voted against the recommendation of Railroad Commission staff to approve a permit for an oil field waste dump facility, then days later accepted a $100,000 campaign donation from the company that received the permit. The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools. Railroad Commissioner: x-$3,750 -5000: Justice, Supreme Court g: x-$3,750 -5000: He criticized Christians role in last Februarys deadly winter freeze, when power outages and equipment failures choked off much of the fuel to many of the states gas-fired power plants when they needed it most to produce electricity. In Texas, voters will elect officials for seven statewide seats governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, comptroller and one of three seats on the Railroad Commission. Its painful to rescind a recommendation. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. In the last fundraising period, Warford outraised Christian 3:1 and has $318,059 cash on hand compared to Christians $181,412 war chest. Top Three Internal Priorities: 1) Continue to modernize agency to increase efficiencies, speed up permitting, and decrease. Ethics: Since candidates for Railroad Commission often raise money. Texas midterm elections: Explaining the Land Commissioner, Railroad Race called by The Associated Press. Don Huffines, an ultraconservative challenger to Gov. AUSTIN - As Texas voters head to the ballot box for the Primary Election, they will see several statewide races. 2022 Election. Railroad Commission candidates have opposing visions of the future of This Texas primary race is off the rails. The Timess election results pages are produced by Michael Andre, Crystal Arroyo, Aliza Aufrichtig, Matthew Bloch, Andrew Chavez, Nate Cohn, Alastair Coote, Annie Daniel, Tiffany Fehr, Will Houp, Josh Katz, Aaron Krolik, Jasmine C. Lee, Rebecca Lieberman, Bea Malsky, Jaymin Patel, Rachel Shorey, Charlie Smart, Umi Syam, Urvashi Uberoy and Isaac White. Railroad Commission candidates offer opposing visions of what will make Railroad Commissioner Runoff: Texas Primary Results (R) - CNN The election was nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations did not appear on the ballot. The oldest state regulatory agency, in charge of how oil and gas are produced and transported, doesnt typically attract much attention at election time. Multiple candidates are presently running in the March 1, 2022 Republican Primary to be the next Railroad Commissioner of Texas. Two candidates will be on the ballot in the May runoff, current Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian and oil & gas attorney Sarah Stogner. Stogner homed in on Christians lack of oil and gas experience compared to her decade as an oil and gas lawyer and what she sees as Christians desire to do whatever the oil and gas industry wants. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Theres a good chance this race is going to a runoff, and, as Cisneros feared, the other progressive in the race, Tannya Benavides, is playing the spoiler, with nearly 5 percent of the vote. Christian was the top choice of 9% of registered voters in that poll, with the other candidates receiving between 3% and 5%. Several Southeast Texas primary races headed for runoffs - KBMT Democrat Attorney General candidates are in the same boat. Feb. 18 Last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the primaries. Today, after redistricting to protect Republican seats, there is just one that will be competitive in the general election, the 15th. To learn more about how election results work, read this article. Subscribe with RSS; Powered by people like you. Zapata flipped to Donald Trump in 2020. 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. 'I've never seen anything like this': Why a Texas Railroad Commission Candidates for Texas Railroad Commissioner 6440 Voter Guide My Ballot Recommendations Election Coverage Voting for this election ended Nov 8, 2022. 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. 2023 iSideWith.com. Editors note: This story contains explicit language. Incumbent Republican CFO Jimmy Patronis won re-election to a second term. for a place on the ballot with the county or state party chair, as appropriate (see chart). The crew, in town to film a documentary about an unplugged oil well spewing contaminated fluids, was sharing beers with Stogner when one of the videographers said they always wanted to do an artistic photo shoot on a pumpjack, Stogner recalled. My name is Hunter Crow and I'm seeking the position of Texas Railroad Commissioner, because we cannot have a healthy humanity without a healthy natural world. The Railroad Commission, which got its name in 1891 when it was created to regulate transportation tariffs, generally toils in obscurity. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the March 1 election, the two candidates with the most votes will meet in a May runoff election. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? In the case of a vacancy, the Governor appoints a replacement. Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian is seeking his second term on the Texas Railroad Commission but faces three challengers in the GOP primary next week. In Texas a candidate must have more than 50% of the total votes or the race will go to a runoff between the top two candidates. The San Antonio Express-News described the video as disgraceful and pulled its endorsement of Stogner. 2022 Rhode Island Attorney General election - Wikipedia This year is different. By Mose Buchele, KUTNovember 3, 202210:33 amGovernment & Politics, KUT. MENU. 2022 Texas Elections, Candidates, Races and Voting. Born on June 22, 1984, Sarah Stogner is a Republican candidate for the role of Texas Railroad Commissioner. Im going to have to stew on it.. In Hidalgo County, on the border with Mexico, he won just 50 percent. I want to talk about flaring. 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. It was a Hail Mary to energize her campaign. 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.). Candidates for federal office must file a federal application . 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 . With just over 70 percent of the results in, the Democratic bid for the open seat in Texas competitive 15th District appears destined for a runoff. This year, he says, his party has a chance. Voter Data is deleted after every. Recently, Christians campaign said it would finally drop the slogan after being called bigoted by Warford, who is Jewish. They like what I do with oil and gas in Texas, Christian said. Now Shes Auctioning Off Her Archive. Suggest a missing candidate here. Unicorns exist, so here I am Im not a politician, I accept no campaign contributions.. In order to manage the Texas economy, they want to help and nurture a healthy petroleum industry., I dont think Wayne Christian and the current Railroad commissioners are supporting the industry as a whole, Warford says. 2022 Texas primary: Results for railroad commissioner - WFAA Despite its name, the Railroad Commission has not regulated railroads since 2005. Rochelle Garza has 44% of the vote, Joe Jaworski has 20%, Lee Merritt is at 19%, Mike Fields 12% and T-Bone Raynor 5%. Also in the field is Tom Slocum Jr., an engineering consultant from the Houston area, who says he will defend the state against liberal Democrats and their never-ending quest to destroy our oil and gas industry in Texas. Slocums sentiments are similar to those articulated in Christians platform. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. We cant [produce oil and gas] at the cost of our groundwater, Stogner 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 gas and pollutes the environment. Texas Railroad Commission primary roiled by racy video, candidate's The Railroad Commission of Texas Representative Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat who narrowly beat a Republican challenger in 2020, has easily avoided a runoff in the 34th, the neighboring Rio Grande Valley district in which hes now running after the lines were redrawn earlier this year. The RRC also has oversight over Texas energy industries and enforces related state and federal laws. No. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. On Twitter A service of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin | Contact us, A service of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, problems along the natural gas supply chain, Despite a ban on the practice, many churches use their pulpit to support or oppose political candidates, Republicans have historically embraced small-town Texas. Published: Feb. 24, 2022 at 11:19 AM PST TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Dawayne Tipton, one of the Republicans who is running for Texas Railroad Commissioner, said he is the best qualified for the position because of his years of experience in the oil and gas industry. Its daily. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Hunter Crow for Texas Railroad Commissioner - www.gp.org Earlier in the day, Greg Casar was praying for a 50-percent-plus-one win. Attention toward the railroad commissioner race shifted during the Republican primaries when oil and gas attorney Sarah Stogner pushed Christian into a runoff after she went viral for a campaign ad of her riding a pumpjack nearly naked. Texas Railroad Commission candidate's risqu social media post turning Interviews are granted to candidates who visit Odessa and submit a request to be interviewed. Like the other challengers, Stogner has criticized Christian for his lack of experience in the industries the Railroad Commission oversees. Early voting runs May 16-20. by Mitchell Ferman I want to talk about groundwater.