Two is decreasing our utility prices because Texas is the energy capital of the world. Inside the Bro-tastic Party Mansions Upending a Historic Austin Community. Christian is a former gospel singer turned financial adviser turned longtime Texas politician. The vast majority of those polled, 74%, said they weren't sure who theyd vote for. It has allowed me to engage folks who appreciated my passion and concerns.. Reporting by Lalena Fisher, J. David Goodman and Alicia Parlapiano; production by Amanda Cordero and Jessica White; editing by Wilson Andrews, Ben Koski and Kenan Davis. The audience broke into its first round of applause of the evening. Although there are four candidates, the race has been focused on Christian and Warford. The campaign for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, usually a low-profile affair, is getting more attentionand that's a good thing. Ben Rowen is a senior editor at Texas Monthly for News & Politics. 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. 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.. I think they are doing the bidding of a very small number of oil and gas executives. And I thought, oh my God, yes, what if I got naked or almost naked on top of it? Stogner said. The New York Timess results team is a group of graphics editors, engineers and reporters who build and maintain software to publish election results in real-time as they are reported by results providers. Warford, a 33-year-old Austinite, has centered his campaign on the RRCs role in the power grids failure during the 2021 February winter storm and wanting to make more changes to ensure the grids security in the future. Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. I didnt realize it would incite the rage and anger that it did from the press, she told the Chronicle. Born on June 22, 1984, Sarah Stogner is a Republican candidate for the role of Texas Railroad Commissioner. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. 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. deadline: N/A In-person reg. Courtesy / This is the lone Texas district that is deemed competitive, with a 2020 presidential margin within five points. I disagree that were for all. I am the only candidate with the endorsements, campaign infrastructure, and resources necessary to win this race.. They said I needed money. 2:28 PM on Feb 17, 2022 CST. Rochelle Garza has 44% of the vote, Joe Jaworski has 20%, Lee Merritt is at 19%, Mike Fields 12% and T-Bone Raynor 5%. She will also help bring landowners back into the conversation to ensure all stakeholders are represented and heard by the Commission. Four years after rocketing to national fame with a strong but ultimately failed effort to unseat Senator Ted Cruz, Beto ORourke will be the Democratic nominee for Texas governor. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. On Twitter Christian was the top choice of 9% of registered voters in that poll, with the other candidates receiving between 3% and 5%. The Railroad Commission of Texas Look Back at a Year of Achievements and Growth for the RRC in 2022 Year in Review Publication Christi Craddick Chairman Wayne Christian Commissioner Jim Wright Commissioner Recent Announcement RRC Online General Maintenance Sunday February 24, 2023 Read More Announcements Railroad Commission of Texas Earlier this month, the Odessa American broke the story of a landowner lawsuit involving a proposed oil-field waste dump north of Midland. The Democrat has a background working in energy consulting and policy. Despite the misleading name, theRailroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is the primary state agency responsible for regulating Texas oil and gas industry. By 8:30 p.m., it became clear that he was the Democratic nominee for the 35th Congressional District, all but ensuring a win in the general election. Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2022 (March 1 Republican primary) Elections in Texas, 2022 Primary date: March 1 Mail-in registration deadline: Jan. 31 Online reg. Umm, its tough, Hommel said. 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. Three is protecting our air and our water. Vote 2022 Texas; . 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. 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. Instead, it oversees the Lone Star States oil and gas industry, the network explained. Candidates The following is a list of candidates running for office in the 2022 Texas Railroad Commissioner election. And I want to change that.. Im finding that there are these offices that wield tremendous power when it comes to the climate, she said with a little chuckle, like the Railroad Commission.. And guess what finally worked? But I am, and have I got your attention now? The U.S. will hold its midterm elections on Nov. 8. We expect candidates for public office to model civil discourse and decorum worthy of the publics trust. Despite the old-timey-sounding name, a seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas has been called one of the most consequential climate-related offices in the country. Texas Railroad Commissioner Race Your Vote Counts Ballot Information 2022 General Election Candidates All Democratic Candidates Green Party Candidates Independent Candidates Libertarian Candidates Reform Party Candidates Republican Candidates Wayne Christian Republican Party Incumbent Hunter Wayne Crow Green Party Jaime Andres Diez Earlier in the day, Greg Casar was praying for a 50-percent-plus-one win. The 2022 Austin mayoral election was held on November 8, 2022 to elect the next mayor of Austin, Texas. Recently, Christians campaign said it would finally drop the slogan after being called bigoted by Warford, who is Jewish. Feb. 11, 2022 Updated: Feb. 15, 2022 12:27 p.m. Facebook Twitter Email. Everyday your story is being told by someone. Thats because the agency does not regulate railroads; it regulates oil and gas in the state. But taking out Gov. 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. Wayne Christian * (Republican) . Despite its name, the Railroad Commission has not regulated railroads since 2005. Voter Data is deleted after every. Jessica Cisneros has dipped below 50 percent, with rural Starr and Zapata Counties still not reporting. The election was nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations did not appear on the ballot. If youre not paying attention to this years Republican primary for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commissionand relatively few voters areyou should be. And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. 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. This will be hilarious. I want to talk about groundwater. 2022 Texas Elections, Candidates, Races and Voting, Book Your Fall or Winter Vacation Now and Save! Christian is a former gospel singer turned financial adviser turned longtime Texas politician. In a lot of ways this election cycle for this race is totally different than any that weve seen before, says Warford, because the issues are just way more in peoples faces.. Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian, the incumbent, did not receive 50% of the vote. Odessa Headlines does not endorse or support any candidate for elected office. Three days later, the group headquartered in Center that was behind the dump gave Christian a $100,000 campaign contribution. Democrat Luke Warford is challenging incumbent Wayne Christian for his seat. Texas 2022 Elections A semi-nude video, corruption allegations and a fatal crash roil GOP primary for Texas Railroad Commission The oldest state regulatory agency, in charge of how oil. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Starting Monday when early voting kicks off, Texans will choose who they want as the states next railroad commissioner a race that typically doesnt garner much attention for an office that has nothing to do with railroads and everything to do with oil and gas regulation. And those buyers are willing to pay more for lower emissions, oil and gas. Another candidate, Dawayne Tipton, who is endorsed by all three of the states largest papers, said he doesnt fault Stogner. What would be your top three priorities as railroad commissioner? Thanks for donating today. The winner will face Democrat Luke Warford in the November general election. Democrat Luke Warford is challenging incumbent Wayne Christian for his seat. Christian: My top priorities as commissioner are to fight back against the Biden administrations radical anti-oil and gas agenda to increase the domestic production of oil and natural gas to decrease the cost of gas and groceries and increase energy security., Warford: Three main things Im focused on are one securing our grid so that Texans dont have to live in fear that the power is gonna go out the next time it gets cold. We dont know who asked to comply, we have no assurances that they actually have complied. Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner Sarah Stogner posted a video last week that is raising eyebrows as voters head to the polls. Stogner released the five-second video on Super Bowl Sunday in a tweet with the caption: They said I needed money. Stogner, he argued, will over-regulate the oil and gas industry. For additional information or appointment inquiries, please contact: Jeremy HagenE: jeremy.hagen@rrc.texas.govP: 512-463-7131orWayne Christian P: 512-463-7131E: wayne.christian@rrc.texas.gov, Copyright 2022 | Railroad Commission of Texas. Meanwhile, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which regulates power plants, drafted and implemented weatherization rules in October. 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. The two main contenders in this years race for commissioner are incumbent Republican Wayne Christian and Democrat Luke Warford. 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. Texans will choose between four candidates: Republican incumbent Wayne Christian, Democratic. Christian graduated from high school as valedictorian, and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.B.A. He added, My opponents are mudslinging out of desperation because I am the only candidate in this race with the endorsements, campaign infrastructure, and resources necessary to win this race.. My overall mission is to ensure that Texans have access to cheap, plentiful, and reliable energy., Warford: My background is in mostly the private sector in energy policy and energy consulting. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. . I started doing a little digging and was like, wow, this is great, she told the outlet. Texas Railroad Commissioner Primary Election Results Republican Primary Runoff Wayne Christian and Sarah Stogner have advanced to a runoff. Interviews are granted to candidates who visit Odessa and submit a request to be interviewed. 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. In the race for Republican Lt. Governor Greg Abbott I want to talk about flaring. A woman running for railroad commissioner in the Lone Star State has raised eyebrows over her racy campaign video in which she straddles an oil pump wearing little more than a cowboy hat and boots. Jessica Cisneros has lost a lot of her early lead, with Representative Henry Cuellar so far taking 60 percent of the vote in Webb County, the 28th Districts largest population base. Q: Do you think more needs to be done to regulate natural gas facilities when it comes to weatherization? Just for our own fun. The Railroad Commission of Texas has been called one of the most consequential climate-related offices in the country. We have radiation in our water. 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. Theres this really coherent story of regulatory capture and of special interests having total power and control here, Warford said. Takethequiz. The Working Families Party sent out a memo noting that its volunteers had knocked on 80,000 doors in the state. Five candidates are presently running in the March 1, 2022 Republican Primary to be the next Railroad Commissioner of Texas. 2022 Candidate's Guide Home; . Shes punching back, Hommel told a Tribune reporter as Christian spoke. I want to talk about winterizing our infrastructure pipelines. Compare the candidates policies, political views, popularity ratings, and latest public opinion polling. , 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. 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. 2021 Texas Standard. 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. Candidates for federal office must file a federal application . When he ran for the Senate four years ago, Democrat Beto ORourke won just 61 percent in the primary. But thats boring. The dental floss, Vaseline and variety of plastic-wrapped goods were intended to underscore to the dozens of attendees the importance of oil and gas to everyday life. Get your TribFest tickets by May 31 and save big! While it no longer helps set global oil prices, as it did in the forties and fifties, the Railroad Commission still oversees fossil-fuel production and pipelines. I knew it would be controversial. The race is wide open, according to a recent University of Houston survey. Another candidate, Marvin Sarge Summers, died earlier this month on the campaign trail after crashing into a tanker truck in Midland. Greg Abbott, issued a statement all but conceding, and seeking credit for forcing the governor to the right on issues. Unicorns exist, so here I am Im not a politician, I accept no campaign contributions.. Feb. 18 Last day to apply for a ballot by mail for the primaries. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. This vitally important election of one of the states top energy regulators will have a significant impact on whether Texass natural gas infrastructure freezes up again and contributes to widespread blackouts, as it did a year ago. Its free. No candidate is above 30 percent at the moment; Ruben Ramirez leads with 28 percent. 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. This election is literally one that will have life-and-death consequences. 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 Editors note: This story contains explicit language. 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. And those things just simply arent political., The truth of it is the greatest scam in the history of our nation is this green environmentalism extremism catastrophism, Christian said in a recent interview on a YouTube show called The Crude Truth. I have other assets.. 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. Despite the agencys power over Texas largest industry including the natural gas system, a crucial element of the Texas power grid that failed last year during a powerful winter storm, leaving millions of people without power for days elections for the three-member board that oversees it typically dont generate much attention from voters. Stogner told the paper she decided to release the video because the risk seemed worth it as a University of Houston poll showed her only a few points behind Christian, who has been bankrolled by oil and gas interests. This is the first statewide election in Texas that allows voters to fix issues with their absentee ballots, a process known as curing. But deadlines for fixing ballots vary based on the reasons and method of rejecting a ballot, which has caused some confusion among Texas voters. Multiple candidates are presently running in the March 1, 2022 Republican Primary to be the next Railroad Commissioner of Texas. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. So lets put our clothes on and talk about the issues, she added. After college, Christian found success in the music industry with his country/gospel band, the Mercy River Boys and went on to be finalist for a Grammy Award in 1979. Incumbent Wayne Christian and oil and gas lawyer Sarah Stogner pitched voters in Paris, Texas, ahead of the May 24 election. This Texas primary race is off the rails. One Commissioner position is on the ballot every two years. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? And weve been given the moral, I think duty to oversee the proper use of that oil, gas, and coal. Texas Lege Watch: A House Republican Fights for Chicken Freedom, Inside the Karaoke Bar Where Texas Lawmakers Serenade Each Other. Millions of Texans have rare diseases. George P. Bush appears to be opening up a lead over Eva Guzman in the attorney generals race. I see my fellow politicians saying, Were for all of the above energy! That, I disagree with. All regulations should be based on sound science and not speculation. In 1996, Christian was elected to the House of Representatives as the first Republican elected from Deep East Texas since Reconstruction after the Civil War. The video starts with the sound of work boots crunching on bone-dry West Texas soil, as a man in red coveralls and a hard hat walks across a field. Feb. 23, 202212 PM Central. . I understand that submitting my email address allows iSideWith.com to send me important notifications via email. She hammered Christian and his fellow commissioners for failing to ensure that the states natural gas pipelines didnt fail during the extended subfreezing weather. But fuck it, this will be fun., In February, the video turned into a now-viral campaign ad for the 37-year-old oil and gas attorney from Monahans, who is running for a seat on the Railroad Commission of Texas, the regulatory agency in charge of the states massive oil and gas sector. Texas primaries 2022: Key dates. The campaign for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, usually a low-profile affair, is getting more attentionand thats a good thing. Stogners seminude stunt is only the latest twist in what has become the strangest Republican primary campaign for Railroad Commission in decades. Jessica Cisneros is performing well in San Antonio section of the 28th Congressional District, but more telling will be results from Webb County, which includes Laredo. iSideWith.com is the worlds most popular voting guide for citizens to find information about elections, political parties, candidates, voting districts and popular political issues in their country. 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.. I have followed and continue to abide by all Texas Ethics Commission rules regarding when I can accept contributions and have in full transparency reported every contribution I have received. No. The chart below shows the historical percentage of voters who have pledged to vote for each candidate in the 2022 Texas Railroad Commissionerelection. Early voting runs May 16-20. by Mitchell Ferman During his time in the House, Christian was a leader for the conservative renaissance in the State of Texas and successfully assisted in the fight to elect a Republican majority in the Texas Legislature. Against independent and government findings, he says commission regulators and industry did not mess up during the blackout. Warford: I actually think lowering emissions is in the interest and makes sense for Texas, not just from an environmental perspective, but from an industry perspective as well, right, especially with everything happening in Europe, right now, European natural gas buyers are going to be looking to buy hydrocarbons from elsewhere around the world. Suggest a missing candidate here. More than a year after the winter freeze, the Railroad Commission hasnt crafted rules for how oil and gas companies should prepare for extreme weather. As your Railroad Commissioner, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the Bitcoin Energy revolution to educate other oil and gas experts so that Texas becomes the world's leader in cheap and plentiful energy production maximizing our use of existing fields and wells in our great state!I will focus on adopting smart energy-strong policies while maintaining a stable job creation . Stogner said after being told to sit down, be quiet, you silly little girl her whole life, she went on to start her own law firm and learn to fly planes. Stogner, who posted the steamy video on Super Bowl Sunday, said it was shot in November by a documentary crew she hired for her campaign against incumbent Wayne Christian, the Houston Chronicle reported. 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. . Throughout the evening, Christian tried to convince the audience that hes the conservative fighter who will protect the states oil and gas sector even if local governments and the free market are increasingly interested in renewable energy sources. Railroad commissioners just arent enforcing the existing rules. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our user agreement and privacy policy. Incumbent mayor Steve Adler was term-limited and could not run for re-election. Some friends suggested that she post the video on TikTok to call attention to leaking wells in West Texas, according to the paper. It doesnt get click bait., The candidate said the clip has opened opportunities to discuss the real issues about her campaign.The video is being perceived just as I desired, a knock on the door and now that door is open, she told Fox News. Published: Feb. 18, 2022 at 6:25 AM PST MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - The Permian Basin Association of Pipeliners held a panel for Republican candidates for Railroad Commissioner last night at. I need to get peoples attention, right? Stogner said in an interview, adding that she didnt want to do that in a pornographic way. Read our privacy policy for more information. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - With some well-known state officials, such as State Senator Kel Seliger, not seeking re-election in 2022 and filing open for primary election candidates, the bal 100% of Precincts Reporting. The San Antonio Express-News had previously endorsed Stogner, writing that she offers the vision, energy, and tenacity to make real changes at the RRC. But the newspaper withdrew its endorsement on Tuesday, in the wake of her post. In the case of a vacancy, the Governor appoints a replacement. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. To learn more about how election results work, read this article. 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. Are we angry that I looked good on a pumpjack?. Q for Warford: What is your response to criticism from your opponent, who is describing you as a left-wing extremist? 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. The third article in the Chronicle's series on Texas elections and politicians examines the three commissioner races Land, Railroad and Agriculture and the State Board of Education . But me scantily clad is where the line is drawn, she wrote on Facebook. Theres An App for That. 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. Railroad Commission candidates offer opposing visions of what will make oil and gas industry 'healthy' | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station Christian is a former gospel singer turned financial adviser. Cars Spun Doughnuts in Austin, And Greg Abbott Got Furious, Fast. Democrat Luke Warford is challenging incumbent Wayne Christian for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission. Candidate information comes from Texas Secretary of State data, the candidates and other sources. West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country, H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. Garza and Jaworski will move to a runoff. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. The publicity stunts and mudslinging are a sign of desperation. She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University, followed by a Juris Doctorate from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center. 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. Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian is seeking his second term on the Texas Railroad Commission but faces three challengers in the GOP primary next week.