2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner election

2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner election Texas presidential no 2006 Texas Railroad Commissioner election 2006 November 4, 2008 2010 Texas Railroad Commissioner election 2010 2002 Texas Railroad Commissioner election 2002 2012 Texas Railroad Commissioner special election 2012 (special) Michael L Williams-headshot.jpg Michael L. Williams Republican Party of Texas 4,003,789 52.13 3x4.svg Mark Thompson Texas Democratic Party 3,406,174 44.35 2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner election results map by county.svg 300px Williams #f1b4b2 40–50% #ed8783 50–60% #e55651 60–70% #d02923 70–80% #b00600 80–90% Thompson #b4c7ec 40–50% #8da9e2 50–60% #678cd7 60–70% #4170cd 70–80% #3358a2 80–90% Williams/Thompson tie #D3BECF 40–50% Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams Republican Party of Texas Michael L. Williams Republican Party of Texas The 2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner election was held on November 4, 2008, to elect a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Incumbent Republican commissioner Michael L. Williams won reelection against Democratic candidate Mark Thompson. Republican primary thumb|260px|Republican primary results by county #850400 Williams 100% #808080 No votes Incumbent Republican Michael L. Williams ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gatesville-messenger-and-star-forum/199061281/ March 8, 2008 Right Down The Middle 14 Gatesville Messenger and Star-Forum Williams was first appointed to the Commission in 1998 by governor George W. Bush.https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-news-journal-candidate-proposes/199063278/ Candidate proposes name change for RRC February 8, 2008 Holland Adam J. Longview News-Journal 2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner Republican primaryhttps://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist135_race93.htm 2008 Republican Party Primary Election - Railroad Commissioner Texas Secretary of State June 6, 2026 Republican Party (US) Michael L. Williams (incumbent) 990,127 100.0 990,127 100.0 Democratic primary thumb|260px|Democratic primary results by county #8da9e2 Thompson #b4c7ec 40–50% #8da9e2 50–60% #678cd7 60–70% #4170cd 70–80% #73bc84 Henry #a3d5af 40–50% #73bc84 50–60% #3fa457 60–70% #e66f9e Hall #eea3c1 40–50% #808080 No votes #808080 No votes Three candidates ran for the Democratic nomination: Mark Thompson, visual impairment counselor and former police officerhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-no-money-and-no/199062056/ No money and no experience? No problem in early returns Sharrer Gary Austin March 5, 2008 San Antonio Express-News Dale Henry, retired petroleum engineer and 2006 Democratic nominee for Railroad Commissioner Art Hall, former member of San Antonio City Council Texas law requires primary candidates to receive over 50% of the vote to win the nomination; if no candidate receives a majority, the top two candidates advance to a runoff election. Dale Henry, a retired petroleum worker and former Mills County commissioner,https://web.archive.org/web/20141028224831/http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2008/01/dale-henry-candidate-for-railroad-commission/ October 28, 2014 dead http://blog.chron.com/texaspolitics/2008/01/dale-henry-candidate-for-railroad-commission/ Dale Henry, candidate for Railroad Commission Ratcliffe R.G. January 14, 2008 Chron ran as an environmentalist who would use his industry knowledge to ensure the commission protects the environment and prioritizes public safety.https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-news-journal-candidate-protect/199063422/ Candidate proposes name change for RRC February 8, 2008 Ross Randy Longview News-Journal Henry had previously ran for the Railroad Commission twice: in 2004 as a Republican and in 2006 as a Democrat.https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-former-senate/199067496/ April 9, 2008 Former Senate aide to take on Lampson for House seat Shannon Kelley Austin American-Statesmanhttps://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-college-station-eagle-recommendati/199066337/ Recommendations in the Democratic races February 17, 2008 The Bryan-College Station Eagle Art Hall, an attorney and investment banker, was first elected to the San Antonio City Council in 2003. Hall campaigned on environmental conversation and protection while also wanting the state to support the development of alternative energy. During the primary campaign, Art Hall suggested that the Railroad Commission should be renamed to reflect its actual roles (the Commission no longer regulates railroads, instead regulating energy production in the state). The Austin American-Statesman endorsed Hall, describing him as a Democratic "rising star".https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-democrats-shou/199069776/ Democrats should tap rising star Austin American-Statesman Feb 20, 2008 8 Hall received the endorsements of most major newspapers in the state. The The Bryan-College Station Eagle, in its editorial board's endorsement of Henry, criticized Hall for a lack of familiarity with the commission, as he had initially mentioned railroad safety as part of his campaign. The paper described Hall as an impressive candidate who was, unfortunately, "running for the wrong office". Thompson ran as an outsider, accusing the current Railroad Commission of patronage. Despite being a political novice, he performed well in the primary, receiving 48% of the vote, almost clearing the threshold for winning outright, despite not having a campaign treasurer or spending any money. Thompson became interested in running for office following a gas explosion in Wylie. Henry, also a political novice, advanced to the runoff with 27% of the vote, while Hall, the favorite of most newspapers in the state, was eliminated with only 23% of the vote. 2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner Democratic primaryhttps://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist136_race93.htm 2008 Democratic Party Primary Election - Railroad Commissioner Texas Secretary of State June 6, 2026 Democratic Party (US) Mark Thompson 943,326 48.34 Democratic Party (US) Dale Henry 540,175 27.68 Democratic Party (US) Art Hall 467,794 23.97 1,951,295 100.0 The primary runoff was held on April 8. Thompson defeated Henry with around 59% of the vote. While the first round of the primary was held alongside the contentious Democratic presidential primary, leading to high turnout, the runoff was the only statewide race on the ballot, leading to exceptionally low voter interest.https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-sorry-dale-on/199067706/ April 13, 2008 Seltzer Robert San Antonio Express-News Sorry, Dale: On Election Day, apathy trounced your earnestness Newspapers generally considered Thompson to have run a low-effort campaign compared to his opponents in both the primary and runoff. Prior to the March primary, the The Bryan-College Station Eagle noted that Thompson did not reply to their editorial board and had made "few appearances across the state". Following the April runoff, Robert Seltzer described Thompson in the San Antonio Express-News as campaigning "like a man who did not want the job", attributing his victory over Henry to an apathetic electorate. thumb|260px|Democratic primary runoff results by county #8da9e2 Thompson #8da9e2 50–60% #678cd7 60–70% #4170cd 70–80% #73bc84 Henry #73bc84 50–60% #3fa457 60–70% #80B3B3 Thompson/Henry tie #80B3B3 50% #808080 No votes #808080 No votes 2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner Democratic primary runoffhttps://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist139_race93.htm 2008 Democratic Party Primary Runoff Election - Railroad Commissioner Texas Secretary of State June 6, 2026 Democratic Party (US) Mark Thompson 111,126 59.20 Democratic Party (US) Dale Henry 76,582 40.80 187,708 100.0 Campaign In the general election, Thompsom campaigned on opposing corruption, with plans to ban commissioners from accepting gifts from energy companies. Thompson specifically accused Williams of being "bought and paid for by the gas industry".https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-pride-in-obama/199072132/ Pride in Obama, vote for McCain Fikac Peggy San Antonio Express-News September 5, 2008 He also supported changing the agency's name, arguing the current name helped keep the business of the Commission obscure.https://www.newspapers.com/article/longview-news-journal-railroad-candidate/199070734/ Railroad candidate meets Gregg women Democrats Longview News-Journal August 8, 2008 12 Ferguson Wes Thompson also continued to run on safety, accusing the Williams of inaction resulting in preventable deaths from natural gas explosions.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-barnett-shale-p/199071571/ Barnett Shale puts local focus on Texas Railroad Commission race Lee Mike October 22, 2008 Fort Worth Star-Telegram Williams focused on his experience during the campaign, as well as attacking Democrats broadly as being untrustworthy and too eager to tax and redistribute wealth.https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-national-politi/199075535/ National Politics on State Leader's Mind Fort Worth Star-Telegram October 17, 2008 Kennedy Bud He received the endorsements of newspapers such as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram,https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-williams-stays/199075026/ Williams stays on the right track October 17, 2008 Fort Worth Star-Telegram the San Antonio Express-News,https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-antonio-express-news-michael-william/199075222/ Michael Williams is best railroad commission pick San Antonio Express-News October 14, 2008 and the Austin American-Statesman.https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-energy-experie/199075290/ Energy experience gives Williams edge Austin American-Statesman October 11, 2008 The election was not generally expected to be competitive, with experts predicting in July that Williams would win reelection.https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle-experts-weigh-in-o/199073492/ Experts weigh in on Texas races July 27, 2008 The Houston Chronicle During the election, Williams, the first African American elected to a non-judicial statewide office in Texas, gave a speech in which he stated that he was inspired by Obama's victory in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, while reiterating his support for the Republican nominee John McCain in the general election. Williams was viewed as a likely Republican candidate for higher office, leading to criticism from Thompson. David Floyd, a businessman from Cedar Park, was the Libertarian nominee, though he did not actively campaign.https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-political-novi/199071240/ Political novice seeks to unseat agency veteran Alexander Kate Austin American-Statesman October 19, 2008 Results While Democrats performed well in the 2008 United States elections, their national strength was not enough to change Texas's status as a Republican stronghold. All statewide Republican candidates won, with Williams receiving around 52% of the vote in his victory over Thompson.https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-republicans-ge/199076099/ Republicans get strong support in Lone Star State, exit polls show Vertuno Jim Koenig David Austin American-Statesman November 5, 2008 2008 Texas Railroad Commissioner electionhttps://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist141_race93.htm 2008 General Election - Railroad Commissioner Texas Secretary of State June 6, 2026 Republican Party (US) Michael L. Williams (incumbent) 4,003,789 52.13 Democratic Party (US) Mark Thompson 3,406,174 44.35 3.52 Libertarian Party (US) David Floyd 270,078 3.52 7,680,041 100.0 Republican Party (US) Aftermath Predictions that Williams would seek higher office proved correct: Williams resigned from office on March 31, 2011, to run for Congress. He first entered the 2012 US Senate election, but withdrew from that race to run for the US House instead. After complications with redistricting, he ended up running in Texas's 25th congressional district.https://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2011/07/michael-williams-switches-to-run-in-texass-25th-037937 Michael Williams switches to run in Texas's 25th July 29, 2011 July 31, 2011 Politico Dan Hirschhorn However, he lost the Republican primary, receiving only 10.5% of the vote.Race Summary Report: 2012 Republican Party Primary Election https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist160_state.htm elections.sos.state.tx.us Office of the Secretary of State 29 March 2023 29 May 2012 Republican Barry T. Smitherman was appointed to the Railroad Commission by governor Rick Perry following Williams's resignation and won the 2012 special election for the remainder of Williams's term.Poll: Craddick, Parker lead Railroad Commission races https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/local/2012/05/29/poll-craddick-parker-lead-railroad-commission-races/13088063007/ Amarillo Globe-News May 28, 2012Race Summary Report - 2012 General Election https://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist164_state.htm Texas Secretary of State Dale Henry ran again for Railroad Commissioner in 2012, losing in the general election to Republican Christi Craddick.Railroad Commission race heats up as Chisum challenges Craddick's experience in oil, gas industry https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/local/2012/06/21/chisum-challenges-craddicks-oil-and-gas-experience/13122517007/ 7 June 2026 Amarillo Globe-News June 21, 2012 References Railroad Category:Texas Railroad Commissioner elections