Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright, who is seeking re-election to the Texas Railroad Commission, has a long record of financially backing Democrat candidates, according to Texas Ethics Commission records.
Campaign finance records show that Wright has donated $46,050 to Abel Herrero, a former Democrat state legislator, over 14 separate contributions spanning multiple election cycles.
Wright has also supported at least one Democrat in a statewide race.
In 2014, he contributed $750 to Leticia Van de Putte, the Democrat nominee for lieutenant governor who ran against then-State Sen. Dan Patrick.
In addition to backing Democrats, Wright donated $1,000 to Joe Straus, the former House speaker who rose to power with the help of Democrats and whose tenure was defined by repeatedly opposing conservative priorities.
First elected to the Texas Railroad Commission in 2020, Wright won a six-year term by defeating incumbent Ryan Sitton in a shocking upset. He is now facing four challengers in the Republican Primary Election, including Bo French, James Matlock, Hawk Dunlap, and Katherine Culbert.
Wright did not respond to a request for comment on the donations.
The Texas Railroad Commission, despite its name, does not regulate railroads. It oversees the state’s oil and gas industry, pipelines, natural gas utilities, and surface mining. The agency is led by three statewide elected commissioners who serve staggered six-year terms.
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