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Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2022

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Elections in Texas, 2022

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Texas Railroad Commissioner
2024→ ←2020

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
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Texas held an election for one of three seats on theTexas Railroad Commission onNovember 8, 2022. The primary was scheduled for March 1, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for May 24, 2022. The filing deadline was December 13, 2021.

For more information about the Republican primary,click here.
For more information about the Republican primary runoff,click here.

IncumbentWayne Christian won election in the general election for Texas Railroad Commission.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Texas Railroad Commission

IncumbentWayne Christian defeatedLuke Warford,Jaime Díez, andHunter Crow in the general election for Texas Railroad Commission on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Wayne Christian (R)	55.4	4,401,187
	Luke Warford (D)	40.5	3,222,305
	Jaime Díez (L)	3.0	239,489
	Hunter Crow (G)	1.1	85,570

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,948,551
= 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 election

Republican primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission

IncumbentWayne Christian defeatedSarah Stogner in the Republican primary runoff for Texas Railroad Commission on May 24, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Wayne Christian	65.0	574,573
	Sarah Stogner	35.0	308,859

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 883,432
= 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 election

Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission

Luke Warford advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Luke Warford	100.0	916,650

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 916,650
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission

IncumbentWayne Christian andSarah Stogner advanced to a runoff. They defeatedTom Slocum Jr.,Marvin Summers, andDawayne Tipton in the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commission on March 1, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Wayne Christian	47.4	775,679
✔		Sarah Stogner	15.0	244,949
		Tom Slocum Jr.	14.3	234,439
	Submit photo	Marvin Summers	11.9	194,099
		Dawayne Tipton	11.5	188,428

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,637,594
= 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 convention

Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Hunter Crow advanced from the Green convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 9, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Hunter Crow (G)

	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.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission

Jaime Díez advanced from the Libertarian convention for Texas Railroad Commission on April 10, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Jaime Díez (L)

	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.

Voting information

See also:Voting in Texas

Election information inTexas: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Oct. 11, 2022
By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11, 2022
Online: N/A

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Oct. 28, 2022
By mail: Received by Oct. 28, 2022
Online: N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Oct. 24, 2022 to Nov. 4, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

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Hunter Crow (G)

We need an eco-socialist Green New Deal and a workers' bill of rights. We have no time to wait!!

Get big money out of politics! Our campaign takes no money from corporations or Political Action Committees (PACs).

More Voices, More Choices -- grass roots democracy requires Ranked Choice Voting!!

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Jaime Díez (L)

NA

NA

NA

Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Luke-Warford.PNG

Luke Warford (D)

I’m running to keep the lights on. 700 Texans died unnecessarily during Winter Storm Uri in a grid failure that could have been prevented if the Texas Railroad Commission had done their jobs. When the power was out, instead of working tirelessly to get the grid back online, the Commissioners were focused on making billions for their wealthy donors and passing those costs on to consumers.

We know lowering emissions is good for business. Texas has been an energy leader for decades, with oil and gas jobs helping millions of Texans provide for their families. In order for energy jobs to continue to be the backbone of the Texas economy for decades to come, we need a Texas Railroad Commission that embraces technology, innovation, and science. In today’s market, there is more demand for low-emissions and renewable energy than ever, and Texas needs to evolve to compete. It’s too important to wait.

Public safety will be my top priority when I am Texas Railroad Commissioner. Our current Commissioners are not doing enough to protect our air, our water, and our land, and instead put the interests of their wealthy donors ahead of public safety and well-being. We need to make more Texans aware of these failures in order to hold them accountable.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Hunter Crow (G)

I am very passionate about environmental justice, an eco-socialist Green New Deal, together with a workers' bill of rights and the need to address/confront issues of climate change, NOW. 2. I am committed to social and economic justice for all -- that includes addressing issues of defunding and demilitarizing the police and granting civilian review boards subpoena power; legalizing cannabis in ways that create restorative justice, making up for decades of discrimination in arrests for possession; abolishing ICE; addressing systemic racism and standing up for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. 3. A single payer health insurance program on both the state and federal level, an improved and expanded Medicare for All

Jaime Díez (L)

Luke Warford (D)

Keeping the lights on! Texans shouldn’t have to live in fear that their power will go out the next time it gets cold. A drop in natural gas supply was a leading cause of the grid failure. The Railroad Commission should establish a clear weatherization standard, identify critical gas producers, and ensure preparations for the next winter storm are actually completed.

Reducing emissions to improve energy security and create jobs: In order to maintain Texas’ energy leadership and take advantage of the significant opportunities in today’s market, we must work to make our oil and gas cleaner, safer, and more affordable while also expanding Texas energy leadership in wind, carbon capture, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen.

Increasing transparency and accountability: 70% of current Commissioners’ campaign contributions come from the industry they regulate, and they regularly make decisions without debate or public testimony. More transparency would result in a better-functioning agency and make sure Commissioners serve the public interest.

Protecting our air and water: Recently, Commissioner Wayne Christian approved a waste disposal site that will threaten a major aquifer. Three days later, he got a $100,000 donation from the site owners. Plus, abandoned or orphaned wells that the RRC is responsible for regularly leak pollutants that end up in our drinking water. Texans need a Railroad Commission that will not sacrifice public safety in exchange for campaign contributions.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Hunter Crow (G)

This office is unique and important because the Railroad Commission regulates the oil & gas industries as well as coal and uranium extraction. This agency is supposed to be a consumer protection agency, but it has become an industry protection agency.This is ground zero for Climate Justice - it starts at extraction.

Luke Warford (D)

The Railroad Commission oversees the oil & gas industry in Texas, which makes it one of the most important elected offices in the state for the future of our economy and our environment. The Commission also could have prevented the 2021 Texas grid failure which left millions of people without power and cost hundreds of Texans their lives.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Luke Warford (D)

Elected officials should serve the public, rather than their campaign donors. Transparency and accountability are some of the most important parts of being a successful elected official, and those are the aspects of the job that I will prioritize as Texas Railroad Commissioner. It’s hard for Texans to know what’s going on with the Railroad Commission when the current Commissioners fail to provide transparency around the issuing of permits and decision-making that is designed to help their campaign donors at the expense of public safety.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Luke Warford (D)

As the youngest statewide Democratic candidate in more than 30 years in Texas, I will bring a fresh perspective to the Texas Railroad Commission. I have a unique mix of private sector and political experience that allows me to understand the concerns of business in the Texas energy sector, while also being acutely aware of how this office should put the safety of all Texans first.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Luke Warford (D)

The core responsibilities of the Texas Railroad Commission are implementing and enforcing existing laws and regulations governing the oil and gas industry, directing Commission resources towards particular issues and areas of concern, and educating the public about the issues the Commission is working on and any other business that comes before the Commission. The current commissioners fall short in all of these areas and I would work tirelessly to improve each of them as Commissioner.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Luke Warford (D)

We live in a time of tremendous innovation and change, but the Railroad Commission has done little to move Texas energy forward, including in the wake of last year’s devastating winter storm. As Commissioner I will ensure that Texans maintains its energy leadership of the last hundred years for hundreds of years to come. This means ensuring that Texans no longer have to live in fear that the power will go out every time it gets cold, that we continue to create countless, well-paid, energy jobs, and that Texans have access to affordable, clean, reliable energy.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Hunter Crow (G)

I would say the first Historical event of my lifetime would be the election of President Barack Obama are first African American President of the united states

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Luke Warford (D)

I worked at a kayak rental business near the coast from when I was 14 until I went to college.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Luke Warford (D)

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks, because the writing is really good and because it provides interesting insight into how different people’s brains work.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Hunter Crow (G)

The Doctor in the TV Series Doctor Who

Luke Warford (D)

Thomas the Tank Engine

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Luke Warford (D)

Heat Waves by Glass Animals

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Hunter Crow (G)

to ensure the people and planet are protected from the industries the RRC regulates

Luke Warford (D)

Texas has been a global energy leader for decades and the energy industry is vital to providing affordable and reliable energy here in Texas, around the country, and around the world. To continue to expand Texas' energy leadership, we need leaders on the Railroad Commission who understand this reality and can help Texas adapt to and thrive in the changing energy landscape.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Luke Warford (D)

The Texas Railroad Commission, along with the Governor, is the office with the most power to ensure that a grid failure like the one that happened last February never happens again.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Luke Warford (D)

Current members of the Commission receive 70% of their campaign donations from the industry they are supposed to regulate, making it ineffective. Previous experience in government and politics can be beneficial, but not at the cost of their constituents’ welfare and safety. I do not have previous experience as an elected official and I think that would help me bring a new perspective to the Commission.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Luke Warford (D)

Railroad Commissioners need to be knowledgeable about the Texas energy sector. In particular, it is important to know how the oil and gas industry operates, but Commissioners must also be up-to-date on new technologies and have an ability to stay current on energy production trends.

Just as important as industry knowledge, however, is the ability to communicate with legislators, business, and the general public about the work of the Commission. Transparency is a vital part of making the Railroad Commission work effectively, and if the public doesn’t feel like their needs are being met, and that the Railroad Commission is advocating for their concerns, as the people of Texas feel right now, then the Railroad Commission is failing its duty to Texans.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Luke Warford (D)

They finally convicted Thomas the Tank Engine. They found out he had a loco motive.

Campaign data