August 12, 2010 at 7:12 AM
Longview News-Journal: Railroad commission candidate stumps in East Texas

Wed Aug 11, 2010

By Jimmy Isaac

Republican candidate David Porter brought his campaign for Texas Railroad Commissioner to East Texas on Tuesday, telling supporters in Longview, Kilgore and Tyler he wants to protect Texas from the federal government's growing influence. "It's going to take some effort because they really want to take it over," he said.

Porter is a certified public accountant now living in Giddings, but he counts his and his wife's nearly 30 years in Midland working with oil producers as experience for the railroad commission. He faces Democrat nominee Jeff Weems for the seat now held by Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo. Porter defeated Carrillo in the March Republican primary.

Porter suggested Tuesday a two-pronged attack in protecting the oil and gas industry - keep the political pressure on keeping federal fingers out of state energy issues, and reestablish consistency in applying rules and regulations to the industry as a whole rather than applying those rules on a case-by-case basis.

No Democrat has occupied a statewide office in Texas since former comptroller John Sharp lost his bid for lieutenant governor in 1998. Porter cautioned supporters Tuesday that their complacency would be the best way to end Republicans' 12-year dominance.

"This should be a good year for Republicans," Porter said, 'as long as we don't sit back and say, 'It's going to be a good year for Republicans.' "

© Copyright 2010, Longview News-Journal, Longview, TX.