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Jim Wright (commissioner)

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Jim Wright
Railroad Commissioner of Texas
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 4, 2021
GovernorGreg Abbott
Preceded byRyan Sitton
Personal details
Born1961 or 1962 (age 64–65)
PartyRepublican

James "Jim" Wright (born 1961/1962)[1] is an American businessman and politician who has served as a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas since 2021.[2] A member of the Republican Party,[3] Wright owns several environmental services companies.[4]

A native of south Texas, Wright defeated incumbent Ryan Sitton in a primary,[5][6] then won the general election held on November 3, 2020, against Chrysta Castañeda.[7]

Wright ran for reelection in 2026. Between February and May, he and former Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French collectively raised more than $3 million in campaign contributions. Wright received significant financial backing from oil and gas companies and industry trade associations, while French's campaign was supported primarily by conservative megadonors.[8] In the Republican primary, Wright received the most votes but failed to reach a majority, triggering a runoff against French.[9][10] Though he received the endorsements of Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows,[11] Wright narrowly lost renomination in the May runoff, receiving 49.6% of the vote.[12][13]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Rosiles, Mateo. "Read about Jim Wright's GOP platforms for Texas Railroad Commission". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Railroad Commissioners Past through Present". www.rrc.texas.gov. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  3. ↑ "James Wright (Texas)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Commissioner Jim Wright". Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ Platoff, Emma (March 4, 2020). "Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton concedes Republican primary in surprising upset". The Texas Tribune.
  6. ↑ "Upset: Incumbent Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton Ousted by Newcomer". The Texas Observer. March 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Republican Wright prevails". Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  8. ↑ Tribune, Carlos Nogueras Ramos | The Texas (May 27, 2026). "Bo French declares victory over Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in GOP primary runoff". TPR. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  9. ↑ Serrano, Alejandro (November 12, 2025). "Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French announces run for Texas Railroad Commission". Texas Tribune. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Texas Railroad Commissioner election, 2026". Ballotpedia. April 28, 2026. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  11. ↑ Torres, Aarón (May 18, 2026). "Texas' top GOP leaders endorse Jim Wright over Bo French in railroad commission runoff". Dallas News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  12. ↑ Ramos, Carlos Nogueras (May 27, 2026). "Bo French ousts Railroad Commissioner in GOP primary runoff". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Texas Railroad Commissioner Runoff Election Results". The New York Times. May 26, 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
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