Giddings resident ousts incumbent candidate for RR Commission, moves to General Election

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

David Porter, a resident of Giddings and Republican candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, soundly defeated his incumbent opponent, Victor Carrillo, Tuesday carrying 61% of the vote.

Porter, who was virtually an unknown candidate until today, resides with his wife in Lee County between Giddings and Dime Box. In 2004 he moved to Giddings from Midland where he had built an accounting firm and worked as a CPA for Oil & Gas firms in West Texas.  

The Austin American Statesman today called Porter’s win the “biggest upset of Tuesday’s election.” His surprise victory came over incumbent candidate Victor Carrillo who has held the Commissioner’s post since being appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2003. Carrillo ran for election and won in 2004.   

According to various media reports Carrillo spent 12 times what Porter did; $600,000 to $50,000. The Statesman reported that Porter “played-up his lack of political credentials in his campaign, and he credited his outsider status for the victory.” Porter is quoted as saying "People are tired with professional politicians, and looking for a change."

On Wednesday, Carrillo began to publically cry foul, ultimately saying that his Hispanic lastname cost him re-election. Carrillo released a statement that said, in part, “given the choice between “Porter” and “Carrillo” — unfortunately, the Hispanic-surname was a serious setback from which I could never recover although I did all in my power to overcome this built-in bias.”

Carrillo also blasted Porter’s credentials saying, “last night I was defeated (61% / 39%) in my statewide Republican Primary by my opponent, David Porter. Porter, an unknown, no-campaign, no-qualification CPA from Midland residing in Giddings filed on the last day that he could file.”  Carrillo went on to say, “he [Porter] has never held any elected office, has no geoscience, industry, or legal experience other than doing tax returns for oil and gas companies.

Carrillo lost his job last night and may have damaged his political career today with his statement.

Porter will face Democratic opponent Jeff Weems in the General Election in November. Weems is a Houston energy attorney who grew up working in the oilfield.

In a statement posted to his website today Porter said, “the general election race has now begun and the differences could not be more clear. I will fight for a strong energy industry in Texas and protect our jobs while my Democrat opponent will deliver an Obama like regulatory environment on our Texas oil and gas industry. The stakes are high.”

Porter also announced today that former Railroad Commissioner Barry Williamson will chair his campaign.

The Texas Railroad Commission regulates the Oil & Gas Industry and since 2005 has had nothing to do with the railroad. Its Rail Division and the remaining function, rail safety regulation, were transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation