Republican Christi Craddick has defeated Dale Henry in the race for the open seat on the Texas Railroad Commission.

Despite its name, the commission regulates oil and gas exploration across the state.

Craddick easily defeated her Democratic rival to fill Place 1 on the three-member commission. Born in Midland, Craddick is an Austin oil and gas attorney whose father is former Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick.

Craddick campaigned against overregulation by the Environmental Protection Agency and said the Railroad Commission's name should be changed to reflect its true duties. Henry is a certified petroleum engineer, who had promised closer scrutiny of oil and gas operations in Texas.

Democrats did not field candidates against the two Republican incumbents who hold the other seats on the commission.

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