Democrat Jon Rosenthal Faces Controversial Republican Bo French in Texas Railroad Commission Race

Texas voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether Democrat Jon Rosenthal or Republican Bo French joins the three-member Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the state’s oil and gas sector. Rosenthal, a former state representative and oil-field engineer, has outlined a ten-point platform that includes targeting chronic polluters, imposing a fee on companies that inject wastewater underground and tightening emergency-preparedness rules for natural-gas plants.

French, whose family runs French Oil and who previously led the Tarrant County GOP, has centered his campaign on cutting regulations, lowering energy prices and opposing diversity, immigration and foreign-ownership policies, despite repeated criticism for racist statements. French’s social-issue focus has drawn national media attention, boosting Rosenthal’s fundraising but leaving him out-raised overall. The commission controls a half-billion-dollar budget, issues drilling permits, penalties and pipeline approvals, making the race significant for Texas energy policy. A debate in Dallas has been scheduled, though French has not confirmed participation.