2026 Texas Primary Runoff

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Bo French received a bachelor's degree in history from Texas Christian University. He is a father.

Bo is a rancher and mineral owner. He works at his ranch in Texas and manages his mineral holdings. He previously worked as an energy trader from 1994 to 2004. He also owned and operated security businesses in the Middle East, providing protection for some of the world’s largest energy companies.

Businessman With History of Controversies Seeking Tarrant GOP ...

Bo is a rancher and mineral owner. He previously worked as an energy trader from 1994 to 2004. He also owned and operated security businesses in the Middle East, providing protection for oil companies.

Bo French previously ran for the Texas House of Representatives in 2016 and in 2018 but did not win.

Bo French - Ballotpedia

Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French stepping down, running ...

Believes that the Railroad Commission should cut regulations rather than centralize its power in Austin and cut the stranglehold on oil and gas operators so that Texans can thrive.

Believes that the Railroad Commission should cut regulations rather than "centralize its power in Austin and cut the stranglehold on oil and gas operators so that Texans can thrive."

Opposes using diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria in the Texas oil and gas industry.

Wants to pre-screen organizations that want to purchase oil and gas production to ensure there is no foreign ownership.

Supports collaboration and partnership with allies, like Israel, to research and expand the Texas gas and oil industries.

- Believes that the Railroad Commission should cut regulations rather than "centralize its power in Austin and cut the stranglehold on oil and gas operators so that Texans can thrive."
- Opposes using diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria in the Texas oil and gas industry.
- Wants to pre-screen organizations that want to purchase oil and gas production to ensure there is no foreign ownership.
- Supports collaboration and partnership with allies, like Israel, to research and expand the Texas gas and oil industries.

Energy & the Environment

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Bo French

Buket Urgen

Jim Wright is from South Texas. He lives with his wife, Sherry, and their five children in Orange Grove. He attends Texas Cowboy Churches.

Jim Wright

Jim Wright is originally from South Texas. He lives with his wife, Sherry, and their five children in Orange Grove. He attends Texas Cowboy Churches.

Jim is an oilfield waste company executive and a fifth-generation rancher. He previously owned DeWitt Recyclable Products, LLC, an oil field services and waste management business, which he sold in 2014. He also worked as a rodeo cowboy, participating in bull riding competitions for more than two decades. 

James Wright (Texas Railroad Commission) - Ballotpedia

A Rare Recusal by Texas Oil and Gas Regulator Up for Re-election ...

Jim is an oilfield waste company executive and a rancher. He previously owned DeWitt Recyclable Products, LLC, an oil field services and waste management business, and worked as a professional rodeo cowboy.

Jim is currently a member of the Texas Railroad Commission. He was first elected in 2020. He is currently serving his first term.

Jim is currently a member of the Texas Railroad Commission. He was first elected in 2020 and is serving his first term.

Q&A: Get to know the Republican primary candidates for Texas railroad commissioner

Supports innovation in energy, including geothermal, carbon capture, and hydrogen, while ensuring new technologies meet high standards and are regulated to protect landowners, groundwater, and community safety.

Supports reducing federal oversight and expediting state-level permitting for energy projects like pipelines and LNG terminals.

Supports reducing federal oversight and expediting state-level permitting for energy projects like pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

Supports plugging orphaned oil wells to prevent environmental damage.

Supports plugging abandoned oil wells, and as railroad commissioner helped to plug more than 760 wells.

Supports "responsible" oil and gas production.

Supports expanding energy infrastructure and export capacity.

Supports "cutting red tape [and] strengthening energy infrastructure."

Plans to "ensur[e] that landowners are respected and that [oil and gas] operators follow the rules."

Said that renewable energy sources "will continue to play a role in Texas’s energy mix, but never at the expense of the reliability of our electrical grid." 

As Railroad Commissioner, worked with other government agencies to ensure funding for pipeline inspections

- Supports innovation in energy, including geothermal, carbon capture, and hydrogen, while ensuring new technologies meet high standards and are regulated to protect landowners, groundwater, and community safety.
- Supports reducing federal oversight and expediting state-level permitting for energy projects like pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
- Supports plugging abandoned oil wells, and as railroad commissioner helped to plug more than 760 wells.
- Supports "responsible" oil and gas production.
- Supports expanding energy infrastructure and export capacity.
- Supports "cutting red tape [and] strengthening energy infrastructure."
- Plans to "ensur[e] that landowners are respected and that [oil and gas] operators follow the rules."
- Said that renewable energy sources "will continue to play a role in Texas’s energy mix, but never at the expense of the reliability of our electrical grid." 
- As Railroad Commissioner, worked with other government agencies to ensure funding for pipeline inspections

- The railroad commissioner is one of three members of the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, liquified petroleum gas, coal and uranium mining, and oversees clean drinking water. Despite its name, the commission no longer regulates railroads.
- Railroad commissioners are elected in statewide partisan elections for six-year, staggered terms, with one seat up for election every two years. The commissioners elect the chairman, and the Governor appoints replacements if a vacancy arises.

One of three commissioners who oversee the oil and gas industry, coal and uranium mining, and clean drinking water. 

Railroad Commissioner

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Energy & the Environment