DU Exclusive -- Active DUer announces candidacy for Statewide Office [View All]

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It is with great pleasure that I am able to advise all DUers that an active DUer is announcing candidacy for statewide office.

Jeff Weems is announcing his candidacy for Texas Railroad Commissioner.

The office, a partisan statewide position, has something of an archaic name and nothing to do with railroads but still has major relevance for vast interests in Texas.

The Texas Railroad Commission was formed in the 1890’s to protect farmers from predatory pricing by the railroads. The Texas Legislature later gave the Commission additional regulatory responsibilities, primarily over trucking and oil and gas exploration and production. Over the years, the Commission’s authority over railroads and trucking was reduced, and finally eliminated altogether in 2005.

The Texas Railroad Commission is currently responsible for:

•Regulating oil and gas exploration and production;
•Regulating pipeline (both natural gas and hazardous liquid) safety;
•Regulating certain coal and uranium surface mining operations;
•Setting rates for pipelines and for natural gas utilities;
•Regulating natural gas utility safety measures; and
•Creating and applying programs designed to promote the use of and market for Liquefied Petroleum (LP) or Propane gas.

Jeff's key focus on this campaign is committed to:

ensuring Texas’ vibrant energy industry, protecting Texas’ environment, giving consumers a voice at the commission, and restoring the good name and reputation of the Texas Railroad Commissioners.


Jeff's first policy position in announcing his campaign is to significantly reduce lobbyists ability to influence commission business.


“I propose that Railroad Commissioners be treated like Supreme Court justices – in other words, Texas Railroad Commissioners should be allowed to accept campaign contributions only for the period beginning 9 months before the primary election through a few months after the general election. In these times of energy uncertainty,” Weems said, “Texans must have confidence in the integrity of their commissioners’ decision-making, and that these decisions are not unduly influenced by campaign contributions.” Weems added that this restriction should apply both to campaign contributions and to gifts from lobbyists.


Jeff's website is here: http://jeffweemsforcommissioner.com/contact/

You can send him an email here: [e-mail]

Today is also Jeff's Birthday!

Please join me in congratulating Jeff, send him a personal message and if you are able and inclined a contribution. He will now be posting under jeffweemsforRRC here at DU and is retiring his old name so that past postings here cannot be used by partisan opponents out of context. I can simply say that he had a very strong voice and his opinions were always very reasonable.