Democrats Win Texas Railroad Commission Seat
Jon Rosenthal's victory marks the first Democratic win on the state's oil and gas regulatory panel since 1990, as voters also reshaped utility oversight in Georgia.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Utilities
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Democrat Jon Rosenthal defeated Republican Bo French for a seat on Texas's three-member Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, ending a streak of Republican control dating to 1994. Democrats also won Georgia's Public Service Commission seats, giving the party a 3-2 majority over the body that sets Georgia Power's rates.
Why it matters
Georgia Power rates have risen more than 18% over three years, tied to the Vogtle nuclear expansion, and Democrats campaigned against data centers driving energy demand. The results shift utility and energy oversight in two of the country's major states.
Georgia Power rates rose more than 18% over three years, and Democrats now hold a 3-2 majority on Georgia's Public Service Commission, which sets those rates. Republicans previously held a 2-1 majority on Texas's Railroad Commission, a seat Democrats won for the first time since 1990.
The players
Jon Rosenthal
Jon Rosenthal is a Texas state representative and former oilfield engineer who won a seat on the Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator.
Bo French
Bo French is a Republican who lost the Texas Railroad Commission race to Jon Rosenthal.
Public Service Commission of Georgia
The Georgia Public Service Commission is the state body that regulates utilities, including Georgia Power's rates.
The details
Jon Rosenthal, a state representative and former oilfield engineer, defeated Republican Bo French in the Texas race. In Georgia, Democrats Peter Hubbard and Sheila Edwards won Public Service Commission seats, while Democrats also took the governorship in Georgia and Ohio and Texas.
Timeline
- Election Day, November 3, 2026, when voters in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio cast ballots.
- Diesel prices are expected to remain elevated well into 2027, according to the source.
Utilities in Focus
Georgia Power's rate increases trace back to the Vogtle nuclear expansion, and the November 2026 Public Service Commission results give Democrats a 3-2 majority over the body that approves those rates. The Texas Railroad Commission result, the first Democratic win there since 1990, reflects similar voter pressure over energy costs and data center demand.
Georgia households paying Georgia Power bills could see future rate decisions shaped by the new 3-2 Democratic majority on the Public Service Commission. Regular gasoline averaged $4.15 a gallon on Election Day, a figure AAA reported, which affects household transportation budgets.
The takeaway
Voters in several states are using regulatory elections to respond to rising utility bills and data-center-driven energy demand. Watching how new commissioners vote on rate cases will show whether these results translate into lower costs for households.
Further reading
Explore more on Utilities coverage across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by OilPrice.
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