Wright Vs. Castañeda: Texas Railroad Commission Election Results

Polls have closed in Texas where voters cast their ballots not only in the presidential race but in a number of other federal, statewide and local races. Statewide, all voters cast their ballots in the race for railroad commissioner, a seat Democrats are targeting and one that has received significant funding from supporters.

The race pits Democratic candidate Chrysta Castañeda against Republican James "Jim' Wright. Libertarian candidate Matt Sterett and Green Party candidate Katija "Kat" Gruene are also on the ballot.

Patch will update with the latest results as they come in. Refresh for the latest:

Castañeda: 4,098,537

Wright: 4,969,927

Sterett: 202,434

Gruene: 105,629

(Results as reported by The Texas Secretary of State's website as of 11 p.m.)

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The Texas Railroad Commission comprises of three commissioners who are elected for six-year terms. All three current commissioners are Republicans, including Ryan Sitton, who was defeated in the Republican primary by Wright. The commission oversees the regulation of the oil and natural gas industry in Texas.

Castañeda, an engineer and lawyer, says on her campaign website that she will "work tirelessly to stop the waste and abuse of our precious natural resources." Wright calls himself a lifelong South Texas whose family have been ranchers in the state for five generations and says he is running "because he believes that we need to restore integrity and trust in the Texas Railroad Commission."

Castañeda has received funding from groups like the Sierra Club of Texas PAC and the AFL-CIO. Former New York City Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg also waded into the race, making a $2.6 million contribution to her campaign.

"In the race for Texas Railroad Commissioner, there is only one person running who is actually qualified for the position: Chrysta Castañeda,"Texas Democratic Party Deputy Executive Director Cliff Walker said in a statement supporting Castañeda. “Chrysta is an engineer, a lawyer, and someone who has been preparing for this role her entire career. Her record is clearly resonating with Texas voters, especially those who work in the energy sector.”