Changes

==Railroad Commission race==

==Railroad Commission race==

Attorney/businesswoman Craddick won her first political race when she defeated fellow Republican Warren Chisum of Pampa, Texas, in her party's runoff election held on July 31, 2012. The contest was contentious because Chisum, a former state representative from the Texas Panhandle and himself a businessman active in the energy industry, had been a key lieutenant of former Speaker Craddick. Chisum also criticized Tom Craddick for having contributed $300,000 to Christi Craddick's campaign.<ref name=rangel/>.

Attorney/businesswoman Craddick won her first political race when she defeated fellow Republican Warren Chisum of Pampa, Texas, in her party's runoff election held on July 31, 2012. The contest was contentious because Chisum, a former state representative from the Texas Panhandle and himself a businessman active in the energy industry, had been a key lieutenant of former Speaker Craddick. Chisum also criticized Tom Craddick for having contributed $300,000 to Christi Craddick's campaign.<ref name=rangel/>  

   

   

The ''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal'' described Chisum's prospects as "uphill" considering that Craddick raised three times the campaign contributions that Chisum had amassed. She reported to the Texas Ethics Commisson more than $1 million in contributions compared to Chisum's $375,000. Chisum was able to remain competitive, however, by tapping into more than $600,000 that he had raised during his legislative years. Craddick was backed by such wealthy donors as the physician-turned-entrepreneur James Leininger and homebuilder Bob Perry of [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], no relation to Governor [[Rick Perry]].<ref name=rangel>{{cite web|url=http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-06-03/chisum-faces-uphill-battle-new-seat|title=Enrique Rangel, "Chisum faces uphill battle for new seat"|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche Journal''|accessdate=December 31, 2012}}</ref>

The ''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal'' described Chisum's prospects as "uphill" considering that Craddick raised three times the campaign contributions that Chisum had amassed. She reported to the Texas Ethics Commisson more than $1 million in contributions compared to Chisum's $375,000. Chisum was able to remain competitive, however, by tapping into more than $600,000 that he had raised during his legislative years. Craddick was backed by such wealthy donors as the physician-turned-entrepreneur James Leininger and homebuilder Bob Perry of [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], no relation to Governor [[Rick Perry]].<ref name=rangel>{{cite web|url=http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2012-06-03/chisum-faces-uphill-battle-new-seat|title=Enrique Rangel, "Chisum faces uphill battle for new seat"|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche Journal''|accessdate=December 31, 2012}}</ref>

Political scientist Mark Jones of [[Rice University]] in Houston attributes Craddick's nomination and eventual election to the "respect" within the Republican Party for her father. Though still a representative since 1969, Tom Craddick lost the Speakership in 2009 to [[Joe Straus]] of San Antonio, who prevailed through a coalition of mostly Democrats and sixteen moderate Republican members. Professor Jones said that the respect for Craddick was particularly visible in the primary runoff against Chisum. The result is a rare father-daughter combination in Texas politics.<ref name=midland>{{cite web|url=http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_e5132631-9b4c-580f-b2da-815daec739f1.html|title=Christi Craddick's ascension puts family in elite company, December 23, 2012|publisher=mywesttexas.com|accessdate=December 31, 2012}}</ref>

Political scientist Mark Jones of [[Rice University]] in Houston attributes Craddick's nomination and eventual election to the "respect" within the Republican Party for her father. Though still a representative since 1969, Tom Craddick lost the Speakership in 2009 to [[Joe Straus]] of San Antonio, who prevailed through a coalition of mostly Democrats and sixteen moderate Republican members. Professor Jones said that the respect for Craddick was particularly visible in the primary runoff against Chisum. The result is a rare father-daughter combination in Texas politics.<ref name=midland>{{cite web|url=http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_e5132631-9b4c-580f-b2da-815daec739f1.html|title=Christi Craddick's ascension puts family in elite company, December 23, 2012|publisher=mywesttexas.com|accessdate=December 31, 2012}}</ref>

   

   

[[Ernest Angelo]], a former Midland mayor who previously served for twenty years as the Texas Republican National Committeeman, said that Craddick, whom he has known for her entire life -- he and Tom Craddick are neighbors -- gained credibility with large Republican donors. Craddick had earlier raised funds and campaigned for other Republicans. She traveled by highway to meet with conservative and women's groups. According to Angelo, "she showed she will do what it takes to win a state primary. She earned it."<ref name=midland/>

[[Ernest Angelo]], a former Midland mayor who previously served for twenty years as the Texas Republican National Committeeman, said that Craddick, whom he has known for her entire life—he and Tom Craddick are neighbors—gained credibility with large Republican donors. Craddick had earlier raised funds and campaigned for other Republicans. She traveled by highway to meet with conservative and women's groups. According to Angelo, "she showed she will do what it takes to win a state primary. She earned it."<ref name=midland/>

Though the Railroad Commission was created in 1891 in the Jim Hogg gubernatorial administration to check abuses by railroads, it no longer has such functions. Instead it regulates the energy industries in Texas. In most states, the Railroad Commission is known as the Public Service Commission.

Though the Railroad Commission was created in 1891 in the Jim Hogg gubernatorial administration to check abuses by railroads, it no longer has such functions. Instead it regulates the energy industries in Texas. In most states, the Railroad Commission is known as the Public Service Commission.