Railroad Commissioner: who gets your vote?
What this role does
Railroad commissioners regulate Texas’s oil and gas industry, pipelines, and parts of the mining industry. Despite its name, the commission does not regulate railroads.
These rules affect energy operations, pipeline safety, and environmental safeguards.
- Oil and gas regulation
- Pipeline regulation
- Not railroad oversight
Read about them. Then tap a button to pick one. You can change it later.
Data last updated: Oct 31, 2026 (state and local ballot sources). Verify approaching elections with your state election office.
Our reading of the duties, not an official requirement. Doesn't rank or recommend anyone.
Office role sources
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JON ROSENTHAL
Running for Railroad Commissioner · Texas
LocalDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
BO FRENCH
Running for Railroad Commissioner · Texas
LocalRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
Job fit
JON ROSENTHAL
- His campaign says Rosenthal won Texas House District 135 in 2018 and subsequently served four terms in the Texas Legislature. 1
- His campaign says he spent 25 years in the energy industry after earning his mechanical engineering degree, helped make drilling equipment safer, and became an industrial safety trainer. 1
- His campaign describes committee work advocating gas infrastructure weatherization, opposing utilities passing failure costs to families, and seeking Railroad Commission accountability standards. 1
Top issues
JON ROSENTHAL
- The retained Wikipedia biography says Rosenthal supports expanding the Railroad Commission’s budget to retain employees, address unplugged wells and manage oil field wastewater. 3
BO FRENCH
- French’s campaign pledges to end DEI, what it calls overbearing regulation, and radical Islamic and Chinese Communist Party influence in Texas oil, and to enforce the legislature’s hostile foreign land ownership ban. 2
- His campaign identifies adding Muslim countries to the China land ban through expansion of Senate Bill 17 as his first legislative priority as commissioner. 2
Past votes
We haven't found past votes for either candidate yet.
Who pays them
JON ROSENTHAL
What the source says
The Texas Tribune reported October 27, 2026, that Rosenthal raised $524,245 in the latest reporting period, bringing total fundraising above $1 million, with $561,552 cash on hand.
What the source says
The Texas Tribune reported October 27, 2026, that Rosenthal raised $524,245 in the latest reporting period, bringing total fundraising above $1 million, with $561,552 cash on hand.
What the source says
The Tribune’s October 27, 2026 report lists donations of $100,000 from Susan Sarofim, $40,000 from R. Stephen McNally, and $25,000 from Rishi Bhutada.
The Tribune reported October 27, 2026, that Rosenthal spent $242,000 in consulting fees to VoteShift for campaign logistics, including events, advertising, texts, emails and social media. 4
BO FRENCH
What the source says
The Tribune reported roughly $748,000 raised September 25–October 24, 2026, nearly $1 million spent, $434,508 remaining, and a $100,000 loan.
What the source says
The Tribune reported donations of $200,000 from energy executive Richard Sands and $300,000 from Texas United for a Conservative Majority, predominantly funded by Tim Dunn; at least $600,000 went toward television ads and mailers.
What the source says
The Tribune reported donations of $200,000 from energy executive Richard Sands and $300,000 from Texas United for a Conservative Majority, predominantly funded by Tim Dunn; at least $600,000 went toward television ads and mailers.
What is Texas United for a Conservative Majority?
This political action committee is funded mainly by Tim Dunn, a West Texas oil billionaire. The retained excerpt does not establish its specific policy goals. 4
Checks
No checks have run for either candidate yet.
Based on current data. May change in a future update.
Sources
- Jon Rosenthal for Texas · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Bo French For Texas Railroad Commissioner · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience, Top issues
- Jon Rosenthal · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Top issues
- Bo French, Jon Rosenthal raise second-best of campaigns · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Money
Show 1 more running
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View comparison ↑Pick any two candidates below. Your second selection updates the comparison automatically. “Shown above” marks the current cards, not a selection. Comparison selections do not change your pick.
JON ROSENTHAL
Democratic Party / Partido DemócrataShown aboveHis campaign says Rosenthal won Texas House District 135 in 2018 and subsequently served four terms in the Texas Legislature. 1
His campaign says he spent 25 years in the energy industry after earning his mechanical engineering degree, helped make drilling equipment safer, and became an industrial safety trainer. 2
His campaign describes committee work advocating gas infrastructure weatherization, opposing utilities passing failure costs to families, and seeking Railroad Commission accountability standards. 3
The Texas Tribune reported October 27, 2026, that Rosenthal raised $524,245 in the latest reporting period, bringing total fundraising above $1 million, with… 4
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
The retained Wikipedia biography says Rosenthal supports expanding the Railroad Commission’s budget to retain employees, address unplugged wells and manage oil… 5
Sources
1 Background: jonrosenthaltx.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: jonrosenthaltx.com · checked Oct 31
3 Background: jonrosenthaltx.com · checked Oct 31
4 Money: texastribune.org · checked Oct 31
5 Positions: en.wikipedia.org · saved source
BO FRENCH
Republican Party / Partido RepublicanoShown aboveHis campaign says French entered the energy industry in 1994, traded energy for a decade, and owned and operated Middle East security businesses serving energy companies. 1
His campaign biography dates his service as Tarrant County Republican Party chairman to 2023. 2
The Tribune reported roughly $748,000 raised September 25–October 24, 2026, nearly $1 million spent, $434,508 remaining, and a $100,000 loan. 3
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
French’s campaign pledges to end DEI, what it calls overbearing regulation, and radical Islamic and Chinese Communist Party influence in Texas oil, and to… 4
Sources
1 Background: bofrench.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: bofrench.com · checked Oct 31
3 Money: texastribune.org · checked Oct 31
4 Positions: bofrench.com · saved source
ARTHUR DIBIANCA
Libertarian Party / Partido LibertarioHis campaign website says DiBianca lives in Austin, Texas, and has been a Libertarian activist for many years. 1
His campaign website identifies him testifying at the Texas Legislature in 2023. 2
We haven’t finished researching campaign money.
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
His campaign supports market decisions about the energy mix, development without subsidies or mandates for any source, and competitive access to pipelines and… 3
Sources
1 Background: votedibianca.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: votedibianca.com · checked Oct 31
3 Positions: votedibianca.com · saved source