Jon Rosenthal
Texas Railroad Commissioner winner
$3.0K
NOV 8, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age62 years old (Aug 17, 1963)
GenderMale
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LocationTexas
BackgroundMechanical engineer
EducationUniversity of Texas at Austin — B.S., Mechanical Engineering (1991)
Notable personal detailsJon Eric Rosenthal is an American engineer and Democratic politician who has represented Texas House District 135 (northwest Houston area) since 2019. He is a mechanical engineer with decades of experience in and around the oil and gas industry, and he has served multiple terms in the Texas Legislature. He is a candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
The campaign emphasizes consumer protections on utility billing and opposes passing preventable storm costs to customers, supports targeted industry fees (a small per‑barrel surcharge on saltwater disposal) to fund orphan well plugging, and proposes raising bonding/financial responsibility requirements for operators. There is no clear evidence on broad tax policy such as income or corporate tax rate changes or large-scale redistribution.
Healthcare
Has described himself as an advocate for improving healthcare access and lists healthcare as a priority, but public materials do not provide a clear policy prescription (e.g., support for Medicaid expansion, a public option, or single‑payer).
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Immigration & Border
Jon Rosenthal has expressed concern about the health and welfare of migrants in federal custody and criticized state proposals that would restrict rights for lawful immigrants; his public statements emphasize humanitarian treatment and protections while engaging on border-related policy questions.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate identifies as pro-choice and has prioritized improving women’s access to healthcare. Public responses to a Political Courage Test indicate support for pro-choice positions while emphasizing access to reproductive and women's health services.
Climate & Energy
Supports an all-of-the-above Texas energy strategy that emphasizes reliable, affordable power while reducing waste and expanding clean energy opportunities. Advocates enforceable timelines to capture (not flare) natural gas, repurposing wells and workforce skills for geothermal and CO₂ storage, and policies to create clean-energy jobs and modernize small operators.
News
Jon Rosenthal is now set to face Republican Bo French in the November 2026 Texas Railroad Commissioner general election. French won the GOP nomination after defeating incumbent Jim Wright in the runoff. The race is drawing attention because the Railroad Commission oversees oil and gas regulation, and the Republican contest included criticism over French’s qualifications and comments.
GOP Hardliner Beats Incumbent Texas Oil Regulator in Runoff Vote
Who is Bo French, the GOP nominee for Texas railroad commission
DEI candidate declares victory in GOP primary for Texas oil agency
Jim Wright, Bo French square off in GOP railroad commission runoff
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising