Bo French, Jon Rosenthal Face Off for Railroad Seat
Texas voters will choose between the Republican and Democratic nominees for a seat on the three-member Railroad Commission on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Would you vote for a Democrat for Texas Railroad Commissioner?
Texas voters will decide the Railroad Commission race between Republican nominee Bo French and Democrat Jon Rosenthal on November 3, 2026. French's campaign has been marked by racist comments that drew rebukes from members of his own party.
Why it matters
The Railroad Commission oversees the state's energy industry, so the outcome shapes regulation of utilities and groundwater for Texas residents. The race has drawn attention because of French's comments about UT students and his criticism of Saudi Arabia's presence in the Texas energy sector.
The Railroad Commission has three members, and this race fills one of those seats. Rosenthal has proposed more transparency on utility bills, groundwater safeguards, and banning industry donations to the commission, while the extraction does not report French's policy positions beyond his comments on Saudi Arabia.
The players
Bo French
Bo French is the Republican nominee for the Railroad Commission and a former chair of the Tarrant County GOP. His biggest financial donors include Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks.
Jon Rosenthal
Jon Rosenthal is the Democratic nominee for the Railroad Commission and a mechanical engineer who has served four terms in the Texas House of Representatives.
The details
In September, French shared a photo of nonwhite UT students watching a Longhorns football game and falsely insinuated they were foreigners who did not belong. He also called for stopping the 'Islamic invasion' of Texas and targeted Saudi Arabia's presence in the state's energy industry, comments that drew rebukes from members of his own party.
Timeline
September 2026: French shares the photo of UT students and makes the comments that followed.
November 3, 2026: Texas voters decide the Railroad Commission race.
Political Context
The Railroad Commission regulates Texas oil, gas, and utilities, and its seats are filled by statewide election. Rosenthal's proposals to ban industry donations and increase utility bill transparency would change how the commission is funded and how it reports to the public.
Texas voters will choose who fills one Railroad Commission seat, which sets rules affecting utility bills and groundwater use. Residents who want to weigh in can vote in the November 3, 2026 general election.
The takeaway
The Railroad Commission race is a reminder that state energy regulators are chosen by voters, so the candidates' positions on utility bills and industry donations directly affect Texans' costs and oversight. Reviewing each nominee's platform before November 3 can help voters judge which approach fits their priorities.
Further reading
For more on how statewide races are shaping up, see Elections coverage.
Live Poll
Would you vote for a Democrat for Texas Railroad Commissioner?
