A position at Texas’ oldest and one of its most powerful state agencies will be featured on the 2024 ballot.
Incumbent Christi Craddick plans to run once again for her seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas, but she won’t be alone in the Republican primary race. Four other contenders are also seeking the Republican nod. Two Democrats will also duke it out during the primary election in March. Sarah Stogner, who ran as a Republican against Commissioner Wayne Christian in 2022 and lost, has taken up the flag of the Forward Party.
The Railroad Commission, which has its roots as the regulatory body over the railroad system’s charges and tariffs within Texas, has grown to oversee. It has since grown since 1891 to oversee the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations.
The Railroad Commission often has a seat at the table when it comes to global conversations concerning oil production due to Texas’ ability to sway the sector based on output and curtailment.
The following candidates have been approved by the Texas Secretary of State to appear on the ballot for the Republican and Democratic parties for the primary election on March 5.
Early voting is set to kick off on February 20.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Railroad Commissioner
Republican primary candidates:
Christie Clark, attorney
Campaign website: None
Christi Craddick, commissioner from Austin (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://www.christicraddick.com/
Corey Howell, director of operations from Longview
Campaign website: None
James “Jim” Matlock, retired (oil & gas) from Nacogdoches
Campaign website: https://matlock4rrc.com/
Petra Reyes, oil and gas from Midland
Campaign website: None
Democratic primary candidates:
Bill Burch, managing director
Campaign website: https://burch4trrc.com/
Katherine Culbert, engineer from Houston
Campaign website: https://www.katherine4texas.com/