Texas Land Commissioner
| Texas Land Commissioner | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $223,277 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $566,418,043 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Texas Constitution, Article 14, Section 1 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | 2026 |
| Last election: | 2022 |
| 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 | |
TheTexas Land Commissioner is a state executive position in the Texas state government. The land commissioner serves as the elected head of the Texas General Land Office (GLO).
The GLO's mission statement is: "The Texas General Land Office serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and all people of Texas by preserving their history, protecting their environment, expanding economic opportunity, and maximizing state revenue through innovative administration and prudent stewardship of state lands and resources."[1]
Current office holder
The current Texas Land Commissioner isDawn Buckingham (R). Buckingham assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The General Land Office is established inArticle 14 of theTexas Constitution.
Article 14, Section 1:
| There shall be one General Land Office in the State, which shall be at the seat of government, where all land titles which have emanated or may hereafter emanate from the State shall be registered, except those titles the registration of which may be prohibited by this Constitution. It shall be the duty of the Legislature at the earliest practicable time to make the Land Office self sustaining, and from time to time the Legislature may establish such subordinate offices as may be deemed necessary.[2] |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications to hold this office.[2]
Elections
As a member of the Texas Executive Department, underArticle 14 of the state constitution, the land commissioner is elected "by the qualified voters of the State at the time and places of election for members of the Legislature." In Texas, the land commissioner is elected in midterm election years (e.g. 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030).[2]
Election results
See also: Texas Public Lands Commissioner election, 2030
There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.
See also: Texas Public Lands Commissioner election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Texas Land Commissioner
Benjamin Flores (D) andJose Loya (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Texas Land Commissioner on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Benjamin Flores  | |
 | Jose Loya | |
| There are noincumbents in this race. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jinny Suh (D)
Republican primary
Republican primary for Texas Land Commissioner
IncumbentDawn Buckingham (R) is running in the Republican primary for Texas Land Commissioner on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Dawn Buckingham | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Davy Hobson (R)
See also: Texas Public Lands Commissioner election, 2022
General election
General election for Texas Land Commissioner
Dawn Buckingham (R) defeatedJay Kleberg (D),Alfred Molison (G), andCarrie Menger (Independent) in the general election for Texas Land Commissioner on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dawn Buckingham (R) | 56.2 | 4,463,452 |
 | Jay Kleberg (D) | 42.1 | 3,350,291 | |
| Alfred Molison (G) | 1.7 | 133,034 | ||
 | Carrie Menger (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 1,812 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 7,948,589 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary runoff
Democratic primary runoff for Texas Land Commissioner
Jay Kleberg (D) defeatedSandragrace Martinez (D) in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas Land Commissioner on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jay Kleberg | 52.9 | 254,273 |
 | Sandragrace Martinez | 47.1 | 225,964 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 480,237 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary runoff
Republican primary runoff for Texas Land Commissioner
Dawn Buckingham (R) defeatedTim Westley (R) in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Land Commissioner on May 24, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dawn Buckingham | 68.8 | 595,554 |
 | Tim Westley | 31.2 | 270,365 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 865,919 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Texas Land Commissioner
Sandragrace Martinez (D) andJay Kleberg (D) advanced to a runoff. They defeatedJinny Suh (D) andMichael Lange (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Land Commissioner on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sandragrace Martinez | 31.8 | 313,780 |
| ✔ | | Jay Kleberg | 26.0 | 257,034 |
 | Jinny Suh | 21.9 | 216,238 | |
 | Michael Lange | 20.2 | 199,764 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 986,816 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Texas Land Commissioner
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Texas Land Commissioner on March 1, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dawn Buckingham | 41.9 | 679,125 |
| ✔ | | Tim Westley | 14.8 | 239,473 |
 | Jon Spiers | 12.6 | 203,879 | |
 | Don Minton | 10.6 | 171,001 | |
 | Victor Avila | 7.5 | 121,998 | |
 | Weston Martinez | 6.6 | 107,219 | |
| Rufus Lopez | 3.1 | 49,475 | ||
 | Ben Armenta | 3.0 | 48,029 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 1,620,199 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Green Party convention
Green convention for Texas Land Commissioner
Alfred Molison (G) advanced from the Green Party convention for Texas Land Commissioner on April 9, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Alfred Molison | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Texas Land Commissioner
IncumbentGeorge P. Bush (R) defeatedMiguel Suazo (D) andMatthew Piña (L) in the general election for Texas Land Commissioner on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | George P. Bush (R) | 53.7 | 4,435,202 |
 | Miguel Suazo (D) | 43.2 | 3,567,927 | |
 | Matthew Piña (L) | 3.1 | 258,482 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 8,261,6110 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Texas Land Commissioner
Miguel Suazo (D) defeatedTex Morgan (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Land Commissioner on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Miguel Suazo | 70.0 | 659,163 |
 | Tex Morgan | 30.0 | 282,387 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 941,550 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for Texas Land Commissioner
IncumbentGeorge P. Bush (R) defeatedJerry Patterson (R),Davey Edwards (R), andRick Range (R) in the Republican primary for Texas Land Commissioner on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | George P. Bush | 58.2 | 857,398 |
 | Jerry Patterson | 29.7 | 437,535 | |
 | Davey Edwards | 6.8 | 100,763 | |
 | Rick Range | 5.3 | 77,623 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 1,473,319 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Vacancies
UnderArticle 4, Section 12 of thestate constitution, "all vacancies in State or district offices, except members of the Legislature, shall be filled unless otherwise provided by law by appointment of theGovernor."[2]
Duties
As of January 2021, the website of the GLO included the following duties:[1]
| “ | Today, the Texas General Land Office is focused on maximizing and diversifying revenue sources for the Permanent School Fund. For instance, the Land Office is leading the charge on the development of renewable energy on state lands as a sustainable source of earnings for the PSF. With historic leases for offshore wind energy, solar and geothermal, the Land Office is helping diversify revenue for future generations of Texas schoolchildren.[3] | ” |
Divisions
As of January 25, 2021, divisions within the GLO included:[4]
- Archives & Records
- Communications
- Enterprise Technology Solutions
- Financial Management
- General Counsel
- Governmental Relations
- Human Resources
- Veterans Land Board
State budget
- See also:Texas state budget and finances
The budget for the Texas General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board in Fiscal Year 2025 was $566,418,043.[5]
Compensation
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $223,277, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[6]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $223,277, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $223,277, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner received a salary of $211,415 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $211,415 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $210,695 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $210,695 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $210,695 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $175,940 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $167,070 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner was paid an estimated$145,200. This figure comes from theCouncil of State Governments.[16]
2010
In 2010, the commissioner was paid an estimated 145,200 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Texas Land Commissioner has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsTexas Land Commissioner. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Texas General Land Office
1700 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701-1495
Phone: (512) 463-5001
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.1Texas General Land Office, "Overview," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑2.02.12.22.3Texas State Legislature, "Texas Constitution," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑Texas General Land Office, "Agency Directory," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑Texas Legislature, "H.B. No. 1 General Appropriations Act," accessed December 6, 2023
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 28, 2014
- ↑The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed November 4, 2011
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