Statement on Historic Railroad Commission Election ResultsPress Release, The Workover Blog | Nov 04, 2026

On November 3, 2026, Texans elected Jon Rosenthal as the next Railroad Commissioner of Texas. Nearly 10 million Texans voted in the election for Railroad Commissioner, and while Election Day turnout is still being calculated, early voting turnout broke the record for most votes in a Texas midterm election since 2018. It is historic for a Railroad Commissioner candidate who was not favored by oil and gas industry associations and campaign donors to win the seat.

“I’m really proud of the people of Texas who took the time to make an educated vote in the Railroad Commissioner’s race,” said Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift. “Our state oil and gas agency plays an incredibly important role in our daily lives. Texans who showed up in this race care deeply about our land, water, and health — and what we’re building for future generations.”

No matter who is in the office of railroad commissioner, Commission Shift is committed to fighting for accountability at the RRC and winning policies that improve the lives of Texans, including those most impacted by oil and gas pollution. We believe that all Texans, including oil and gas workers, farmers and ranchers, neighbors of oil and gas development, students of Texas’ public schools, and energy consumers deserve stability, safety, clean air, and clean water.

We will continue to advocate for the solutions that transform our state oil and gas agency to become more ethical, proactive, accessible, and transparent.

• Campaign finance reform: In past election cycles, oil and gas companies contributed two-thirds of railroad commissioners’ campaign funds. Oil and gas donors played a major role in this election cycle, too. When the companies being regulated are also major campaign contributors, landowners and communities have reason to question whether their concerns receive a fair hearing.
• Expanded public participation: Public participation shouldn’t end at the ballot box. Our state will achieve results that improve conditions for our communities and our environment when Texans have a clear voice in the decisions that affect them. The Railroad Commission must restore guaranteed public input at open meetings and make participation accessible, both in person and remotely.
• Cleaning up orphaned wells and other oilfield waste: When oil and gas companies leave wells and waste behind, the cleanup costs don’t disappear. Too often, taxpayers are left to cover the expense. The Railroad Commission must ensure the industry pays its fair share to clean up the risks it leaves behind. As the commission considers new rules to implement SB 1150 on inactive well plugging requirements, they must close loopholes that will allow oil and gas operators to get indefinite plugging extensions, continuing business as usual.

We look forward to working with Commissioner Rosenthal and the two other sitting commissioners who decide the questions that affect not just our state and our country, but the rest of the world. We also expect anyone who fills the position of commissioner to understand the gravity of their influence and be responsive and respectful toward every Texan, putting our needs above those of powerful corporations.