AUSTIN, Texas — Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal is making a long-shot bid for a seat on the Texas Railroad Commission, proposing more funding for oversight of the oil and gas industry while arguing that stronger agency capacity need not put crude production at risk. Rosenthal, an oil-field engineer who calls himself a “drill, baby, drill Democrat,” is campaigning ahead of the 2026 election against Republican Bo French. Texas Democrats have struggled in statewide races for decades, and Republicans have largely controlled state government for more than 30 years. The three-member Railroad Commission regulates the state’s oil and gas industry. Rosenthal says the commission needs a larger budget to retain employees, deal with unplugged wells and manage wastewater generated by oil-field operations. Those issues affect communities where energy production takes place, while the industry remains a major part of Texas’ economy. Rosenthal has been making a late push in rural areas as he tries to overcome the state’s partisan tilt and French’s candidacy. French has drawn controversy over past statements about Jews and Muslims. The available details do not establish the substance of those statements or provide French’s response. Rosenthal’s campaign presents a challenge to the idea that regulation and oil production are necessarily at odds. He says the state can address persistent oversight problems while continuing to produce crude oil. The outcome will determine whether a Democrat can win a statewide Texas office and influence the agency responsible for regulating one of the state’s most consequential industries.