Three candidates are seeking the votes of Texans in the race for the Texas Railroad Commission, but one retiree believes he has the qualifications to best represent Texans on the important regulatory body.
Mike Wright is the Libertarian candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission in 2018. Wright says he decided to run for the Commission after being persuaded by Libertarian U.S. Senate contender Neal Dikeman to seek office. However, the U.S. military veteran is not just a politician. Before running for the Railroad Commission, the Harvard Business School and West Point graduate spent years working in the oil industry.
Today, Wright believes that being retired puts him in a unique position that neither his Republican or Democratic opponents can match.
"I am retired and I can do this full time," Wright says. "A big problem is all of the current commissioners are employed full time so they can't focus all their time on this job."
For those who may not be familiar with the Texas Railroad Commission, the entity exerts no control over the railroad industry in Texas and instead is tasked with regulating oil and gas industries. This unique duty assigned by the Texas Legislature is something that Wright believes should concern West Texans, especially on the issue of water.
"With every decision, we have to make sure that the Railroad Commission respects the environment and well water," Wright says. "If they can't do that, then another plan needs to be put into place."
Transparency will also be a major issue for Wright, if elected. The Libertarian believes that the Railroad Commission needs to better consider approving waivers before decisions are made and thoroughly consider issues before voting.
"When they vote 3-0 on almost everything, it makes you wonder how much deliberation went into the decision," Wright says.
Wright also says that he would support renaming the Texas Railroad Commission, if that is the will of the people of Texas and the Texas Legislature.
"If the people of Texas want it renamed, that's fine with me," Wright says.
The Texas Libertarian holds beliefs on several key policies, but each of his beliefs can be best boiled down into what he says is at the center of his campaign.
"My philosophy is whatever is in the best interest of Texans needs to happen," Wright says. "I'll use knowledge and analysis to make decisions."
Wright is the Libertarian candidate for one of three seats on the Texas Railroad Commission this year. Wright is facing Republican incumbent Christi Craddick and Democrat Roman McAllen. The winner of the contest will join Republicans Wayne Christian and Ryan Sitton on the Commission.
For more information on Mike Wright, please visit https://mikewrightfortrc.com.
Mike Wright
Photo by Wright Campaign