Railroad Commissioner

Statewide

Bo French won the May 26 Republican runoff over incumbent James Wright after a tight five-way primary. Jon Rosenthal, a Houston state representative, ran unopposed for Democrats. No major handicapper rates the race; the rating reflects Texas's structural lean (the office has been Republican since 1994).

Incumbent: James Wright(R)

Primary, Mar 3, 2026GOP runoff likely

Despite the name, regulates Texas's oil, gas, and mining industries, not railroads. Oversees an industry producing 43% of U.S. crude oil, sets drilling permits, pipeline safety rules, and environmental standards.

Runoff result

Railroad Commissioner

Primary Runoff

Called

Bo French

50.6%

663,679 votes

James Wright(i)

49.4%

648,978 votes

Updated May 27, 10:33 PM CT·TX SOS

March primary result

Railroad Commissioner

Primary Results

Called · 100% reporting

R runoff

D nominee set

Republican Primary

James Wright(i)

32.1%

621,421 votes

Advancing to runoff

Bo French

31.7%

614,457 votes

Advancing to runoff

James Matlock

19.3%

373,297 votes

Katherine Culbert

9.2%

178,329 votes

Hawk Dunlap

7.7%

148,468 votes

Democratic Nominee · November

Decided

Jon Rosenthal

100.0%

1,907,233 votes

Updated Mar 21, 9:56 PM CT·TX SOS·Called by AP

Polls vs. Results

Republican Primary

Biggest miss: James Wright, polls were off by 11.1 points

Source:UH Hobby School, TX Secretary of State

Prediction vs. reality, poll predictions compared to actual results
Candidate	Party	Poll prediction (%)	Actual result (%)	Difference
James Wright	Republican	21%	32.1%	+11.1
Bo French	Republican	No poll data	31.7%	N/A
James Matlock	Republican	20%	19.3%	-0.7
Katherine Culbert	Republican	8%	9.2%	+1.2
Hawk Dunlap	Republican	No poll data	7.7%	N/A

November General Election

Nov 3, 2026

Rated Likely RepublicanTexPolls, based on structural partisan lean

No major handicapper rates Texas down-ballot statewide races. Bo French (R), who beat incumbent James Wright in the May 26 runoff, faces Houston state representative Jon Rosenthal (D). The office has been in Republican hands since 1994. The rating reflects structural lean, not a forecast.

TexPolls, based on structural partisan lean