Dawayne Tipton
Republican Candidate for Railroad Commissioner
Tipton/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 41
Q: What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.
A: Mechanical engineering degree from University of Central Arkansas
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Risk Engineer/ Project Manager
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own. (If this question is not applicable, please note that below.)
A: N/A
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: N/A
Q: Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
A: N/A
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: Twitter: @Tipton4Texas
Website: www.TiptonforTexas.com
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2022?
A: It's time the RRC has a member that has vast oil and gas work experience and truly understands the industry inside and out. It's time for a Railroad Commissioner to stand up for Texas families. Someone who will ensure natural gas infrastructure doesn't freeze over, and protect property owners when issues on their land arise. Someone who will maximize Texas resources while still keeping a healthy and robust industry for job creation to help people improve their lives.
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: First, ensure critical infrastructure is weatherized and Texans are prepared for low temperatures. Second, tackle the abandoned well problems, and use that issue also as an opportunity to put Texans back to work. Third, cut unnecessary waste of money and resources, while maximizing efficiency of the RRC budget.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: The weatherization of critical infrastructure has been overlooked, in my opinion. Just last weekend, natural gas production in Texas dropped with the cold front that blew in. That's proof right there that our infrastructure is not fully weatherized and ready for another deadly winter storm. If elected, I would put together a task force of inspectors to ensure that critical infrastructure is weatherized prior to forecasts of low temperatures. Also, I would make sure that facilities designated as critical would not be able to easily apply for an exemption to the weatherization requirement. These designated-as-critical facilities would be held accountable if they don't weatherize appropriately.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I have over 18 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. I have experience in both on and offshore drilling, including work on platforms, drill ships and in deep water. I know the oil and gas industry inside and out – from exploration to risk engineering on pipelines and production facilities. After college I worked as a rig hand on an oil rig because I wanted to build a better life than what my parents had. Since then, I’ve worked on drilling and engineering operations all over the world. I worked my way up to a subject matter expert for a leading oil and gas insurer. I’ve been on the front lines and know firsthand how the RRC’s policies affect the industry from the boardroom to the guys working on the rigs. I’ve had to work hard for everything I have and will do the same for Texas families.