2026 Texas Railroad Commissioner election

The 2026 Texas Railroad Commissioner election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the Texas Railroad Commission. Incumbent Republican commissioner Jim Wright ran for re-election to a second six-year term but was defeated by Bo French in the Republican primary. He was first elected in 2020 with 53% of the vote.

Democrats have not won a Railroad Commissioner election in Texas since Bob Krueger in 1990.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Bo French, former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party

Eliminated in runoff Jim Wright, incumbent Railroad Commissioner

Eliminated in primary Katherine Culbert, process safety engineer and Democratic nominee for Railroad Commissioner in 2024 Hawk Dunlap, oilman Jim Matlock, oilman

Endorsements

First round

Campaign In November 2025, Bo French, then chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, announced he would be resigning from his position to challenge the incumbent Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright. French stated his motivations for running for the office were "to put American citizens, American interests, and American energy first" and that it would be the "best way that I can defend Texas, stop the Islamic invasion and defeat the left." Even though the Railroad Commission is focused on oil and gas regulation, French spent most of his time on the campaign trail focused on culture war issues. While speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Grapevine, Texas, French embraced anti-Muslim rhetoric, claiming that Muslims were infiltrating and conquering the state saying "You know what, maybe I am Islamophobic. I am afraid of what they’re going to be doing to our great country"; during the panel he also called for the deportation of 100 million people, including all Muslims.

French referred to Wright as "Jihadi Jim", accusing him of allowing sharia law in Texas and permitting China to take control of Texas oil fields. Wright criticized French's priorities as irrelevant, saying that the Texas Railroad Commission "has nothing to do" with Islam, DEI, or the Chinese Communist Party.

Results

Runoff

Campaign In the March 2026 Republican primary, Wright led the race with 32.1% of the vote closely followed by French who received 31.7%, since neither candidate won a majority, the vote proceeded to a runoff. The downballot race was notable for the large number of campaign funds being raised, including donations by billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, well known hardline conservative views, who supported French through their political action committee. Governor Greg Abbott endorsed Wright saying "[French] doesn't know anything about oil and gas."

In the May runoff, French narrowly upset Wright with just over 50% of the vote secring the nomination. After the results of the runoff were announced Abbott and other supporters of Wright quickly endorsed French despite their past criticisms.

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JimWright BoFrench Other UndecidedUniversity of HoustonApril 28 – May 1, 20261,200 (LV)± 2.83%35%28%–37%

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jon Rosenthal, state representative from the 135th district (2019–present)

Endorsements

Results

Libertarian candidate Candidates Declared Arthur DiBianca (Libertarian)

General election Campaign On September 13, 2026, French made a series of posts on X about a photo of students of South Asian descent cheering on the Texas Longhorns at a college football game. French said the picture showed a "problem" and "expos[ed] how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners." The post received widespread backlash condemning French's commentary as racist. This included several high-profile Republicans like Senator John Cornyn and strategist Karl Rove, with Rove calling French a "bigot" and saying he would support Rosenthal. Cornyn also said he would not vote for French, but stopped short of endorsing Rosenthal. In response to the criticism, French stood by his comments stating "It's no surprise that the less-conservative people in Texas are the ones attacking me."

Post-primary endorsements

Fundraising The increased national profile the race gained following French's controversial social media posts dramatically increased both candidates fundraising, with each seeking to capitalize on the publicity. During the third quarter, Rosenthal outraised French for the first time, although neither candidate has received donations from the state's oil and gas industry, which the Railroad Commission regulates. Campaign finance reports as of September 24, 2026CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handBo French (R)$773,516$280,653$530,036Jon Rosenthal (D)$656,294$234,313$378,434Arthur DiBianca (L)$694$0$0Source: Texas Ethics Commission

Debates + 2026 Texas Railroad Commissioner debate Date Host Moderator Link Republican DemocraticKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Bo French Jon Rosenthal1 October 22, 2026 Dallas Press Club

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BoFrench (R) JonRosenthal (D) Other UndecidedStratus IntelligenceSeptember 22–24, 2026 856 (LV)± 3.5%46%44%–10%Texas Public Opinion ResearchSeptember 19–22, 20261,007 (LV)± 3.6%45%44%4%7%Texas Southern UniversitySeptember 15–19, 20261,800 (LV)±2.3%44%42%3%11%Texas Public Opinion ResearchAugust 21–24, 20261,000 (LV)±3.3%45%41%5%9%Texas Southern UniversityJuly 27–30, 20261,200 (LV)±2.8%44%41%2%13%

Results

2026 Texas Railroad Commissioner election

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