Bo French Wins GOP Runoff for Texas Railroad Commission

On May 27, 2026, Bo French beat incumbent Jim Wright in runoff for Texas Railroad Commission, winning 50.6% to Wright’s 49.4% – under 15,000 votes. French will meet Democrat Jon Rosenthal and Libertarian Arthur DiBianca in November.

Talking Points Memo

The Texas Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas production, safety, and wastewater disposal. It operates with a $593 million budget and oversees an industry that supplied half of U.S. oil last year. Republicans have held all three seats for three decades; the last Democrat left in 1995.

Talking Points Memo

Bo French, Tarrant County GOP chair, ran on an “America First” platform and was endorsed by Dan Patrick, Greg Abbott, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows. Incumbent Jim Wright, an oil-field waste-services owner, was backed by oil firms and trade groups. Fundraising exceeded $3 million; French’s war chest was 60% funded by Texas Freedom Fund (Tim Dunn, Farris Wilks) and $375 k from drillers, while Wright received hundreds of thousands from large oil companies.

Texas Public Radio

Wright introduced oil-waste reform in 40 years, mandating sealed liners for pits—a “New Mexico-style” rule to curb geysers. French called it “Obama, Biden-era EPA-type regulations” that hurt operators. Producers back Wright’s modest changes; drillers back French, underscoring a split over wastewater regulation.

Talking Points Memo

Greg Abbott warned French would “wreck” oil and gas industry. Dan Patrick called for French’s resignation after a poll comparing Jews and Muslims. French’s campaign post said, “Our campaign focused on defending oil and gas, and putting America First.”

Texas Public Radio

Abbott and Patrick condemned French’s posts using slurs against Muslims, LGBTQ + people, and those with disabilities, arguing his rhetoric distracts from commission duties and threatens stability.

Talking Points Memo

• “I am deeply grateful for the support of TX Republicans across our state. Our campaign focused on defending oil and gas, and putting America First—and that’s exactly what I will continue fighting for as we turn our attention to radical Democrat Jon Rosenthal,” — Bo French, candidate

Texas Public Radio

• “I compare them to kind of Obama, Biden-era EPA-type regulations on our industry, really making it harder for small operators and small independents to get into the business,” — Bo French, interview

Talking Points Memo

• “It’s gone to award contracts based on skin color or based on gender, as opposed to awarding contracts based on merit,” — Bo French, ad

Talking Points Memo

• “foreign capture of our oil and gas industries” — Greg Abbott

Talking Points Memo

Associated Press called runoff decided, but Wright has not conceded, leaving the result unresolved. French’s call to deport 100 million people is ambiguous, exceeding foreign-born population.

Texas Public Radio

French now faces a November contest against Jon Rosenthal. Election will decide whether the commission continues Wright’s modest regulatory path or shifts to French’s agenda, affecting wastewater policy, drilling, and Texas’s oil sector.

Talking Points Memo