Christi Craddick the Republican candidate for Railroad Commissioner is shown Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, in Houston.

Commissioner Wayne Christian and Chairman Christi Craddick sign commission final orders after the bi-weekly commissioners' conference, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Austin, Texas.

Foul black water has erupted from another West Texas well in the same area as one that flowed toxic water for weeks and inspired a controversial no-fly zone in December.

Foul black water has erupted from another West Texas well in the same area as one that flowed toxic water for weeks and inspired a controversial no-fly zone in December.

One of the most important elections this year for Texas’ economy and environment is for the Railroad Commission, a state agency with a misleading name that serves the oil and gas industry more than voters.

The incumbent is Republican Christi Craddick, queen of the oil patch, daughter of a powerful lawmaker and holder of massive financial interests in oil and gas wells. Her challengers include Democrat Kathy Culbert, an oil and gas process safety engineer, and Libertarian Hawk Dunlap, a well control specialist.

Sadly, the most challenging thing about this race is explaining what’s at stake.

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The Legislature amended the state constitution to create the Railroad Commission of Texas in 1891 to tackle corruption and misconduct in the state transportation........

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