It seems like only a couple of months have passed since the last election, and we’re already gearing up for the next one. Candidates from all over the country have started declaring their intent to challenge incumbents at all levels, especially in states with early Primary elections, such as Texas, which holds its primary elections on the first Tuesday in March 2026.
James Matlock, a candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, has spent decades in the energy, transportation, and financial industries, gaining firsthand experience in the sectors regulated by the commission. His journey to public service, however, wasn’t planned. "I have never aspired to be in politics," Matlock admitted. "In high school, I would tell my friends not to nominate me for anything. I have never played office politics."
A former U.S. Marine, Matlock was medically discharged after sustaining serious injuries. "I served as a United States Marine from 1992-1995. I was a member of Marine Corps Security Forces Company, an antiterrorist unit within the Marine Corps," he said. After his military career ended, he transitioned into the transportation industry, spending ten years as a professional truck driver, including two years as an owner-operator. Later, he moved into the financial sector for sixteen years before shifting his focus to oil and gas. Over the past twenty years, Matlock has worked in various capacities within the industry, quickly rising from truck driver to management and, eventually, to an independent consultant engaging directly with the Railroad Commission.
It was during his consulting work that Matlock became frustrated with the status quo and began considering a run for office. "I had three people that I would regularly vent my frustration with the RRC. Over the course of several months in 2022, each of them suggested that I run for RRC," he recalled. Initially skeptical, he agreed to gauge support. "At the end of 30 days, I only had 18 supporters. I was about to abandon the idea until I realized that all 18 were current and former employees of the Railroad Commission." That realization, combined with growing support, pushed him to enter the race.
Matlock is critical of how the Railroad Commission currently operates and believes new technology can modernize the industry while improving environmental protections. "The Railroad Commission refuses to look at new technologies. They want to remain 'hands off' in oversight," he said. He hopes to change that by providing companies with a platform to test innovative solutions. "I have been introduced to a lot of new technologies in the past few years that would make our industry cleaner, safer, and more efficient."
On the role of renewable energy in Texas’ future, Matlock pushes back against the idea of an energy transition away from oil and gas. "Contrary to popular belief, we are not in an energy transition. Texas, and the rest of the world, has a huge thirst for energy, and it’s up to us to quench that thirst." However, he acknowledges the need for improvements in the industry, particularly regarding environmental concerns. He highlights overlooked sources of pollution, noting, "People claim that the oil and gas industry is the largest source of groundwater contamination. Truth is, municipal landfills and water treatment plants are the leading source of contamination in the U.S., and we have solutions."
One of Matlock’s priorities is addressing the problem of orphaned and abandoned wells, which pose significant environmental risks. "There are currently eight thousand orphaned wells and a lot more abandoned wells," he said. He supports working with geothermal companies to repurpose these wells but criticizes current regulations that make it difficult for new operators to adopt them.
Matlock also wants to improve transparency within the Railroad Commission. "The first steps would be to make the website more transparent on pipelines and wells. The public should be able to see the inspection results and all work that has been done," he said. He points to Lake Boehmer in Imperial, Texas, as an example of governmental inaction, where state agencies have spent years shifting responsibility rather than solving the problem. "Since 2002, the RRC has been passing the buck to TCEQ since it was plugged back and turned into a water well. TCEQ has been passing the buck back to the RRC since it was originally drilled for hydrocarbon production. Meanwhile, TxDOT has spent over fifteen million taxpayer dollars to reroute a farm road due to the water. It’s time someone accept responsibility and start to work."
On the issue of Texas’ power grid, Matlock argues that energy infrastructure should better serve residents rather than corporate interests. "We are currently allowing Bitcoin to use the cheap energy by capturing flare and vent gas for electricity generation. How does that benefit the average person? We could be using this to generate electricity for the grid."
Matlock’s campaign focuses on three key priorities: "Transparency and accountability to the communities, bringing the rules up to date with technology, and protecting our food and water supply by recycling for farm irrigation."
As he travels the state to connect with voters, Matlock remains committed to ensuring Texans have strong, experienced leadership overseeing their energy resources. "We need to keep Texans with the true Texas attitude in charge of Texas energy," he said. "We need strong leadership that’s not afraid to take a stand on behalf of all Texans."
James Matlock will be challenging incumbent Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in the 2026 Republican primary. The Texas Railroad Commission regulates the state’s oil and gas industry, overseeing drilling, production, pipelines, and environmental compliance.
***Special Thanks to Matthew Lucci for his help conducting interviews for this article.***
Comments