Craddick, McAllen
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Craddick vs. McAllen vs. Wright
Texas Railroad Commissioner
Over the past year, we have been asking candidates running for various local and statewide offices to answer questions for our Voter Guide. While full responses are available at AmarilloVotes.com, we are offering you shortened versions in “Candidate Comparisons” ahead of the November election. Each response below came directly from the candidate’s questionnaire and are unedited.
Christi Craddick (Republican)
Occupation: Incumbent
Why did you decide to run for Railroad Commissioner?
“I am running for a second term because I want to keep Texas the top state in the country for energy regulation and production, driving us toward greater economic prosperity and American energy security.”
Should the Railroad Commission be renamed?
“Personally, I like the historical name. It is a name agency staff are proud of, and it is recognized across the world by those working in and around the energy industry. I also have concerns about the cost. It is estimated that the Commission's name change would cost the state about $500,000. I would prefer the Commission spend resources on hiring more inspectors, buying equipment staff need to carry out their job, and improving our IT infrastructure and data available to the public online.”
What will be your top priority, if elected?
“If elected to a second term, I will continue to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the Railroad Commission and defend our state’s regulatory authority over energy development. I will work to increase transparency at the agency, bringing more of our data online and making it available to the public. I will support streamlined permitting for industry infrastructure and the safe transport of our energy resources. I will advocate for educational paths for a highly-trained, technically-skilled workforce. I will help to educate Texans about the energy industry and the importance of energy production to our state.”
Roman McAllen (Democrat)
Occupation: Historic Preservation Officer
Why did you decide to run for Railroad Commissioner?
“I am running for this office because I believe that it is not good to have an industry regulating itself, especially one that has such great potential to do tremendous harm to our land and to Texans. It is as senseless as it would be to allow our banks to control the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.”
Should the Railroad Commission be renamed?
“Renaming the commission is the obvious place to start when it comes to earning the public trust.”
What will be your top priority, if elected?
“My top priority will be scrutinizing all that we know about how fracking and the oil industry is impacting our water and advocating for protecting it.”
No response received from Mike Wright (Libertarian)