Hawk attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences.

Longview native hopes to protect Texas land, water if elected to Railroad Commission

Hawk Dunlap loves the oil industry. That’s why he’s fighting Chevron. | Opinion

BallotReady Candidate Profile - Hawk Dunlap

Hawk Dunlap is originally from Longview, Texas. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Stephen F. Austin State University. Dunlap has three children.

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Q&A: Get to know the Republican primary candidates for Texas railroad commissioner

Hawk currently works as Director of Global Operations and Well Control at Well Control Management International, a company that provides risk management and emergency response services for oil and gas operations. He previously worked as a senior well control specialist at CUDD Pressure Control, principal partner and consultant for J-Tiga Consulting, well control and drilling specialist at Wild Well, and well control specialist at Boots & Coots Services Inc.

Hawk previously ran for Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2024, but did not win.

Supports reforming well-plugging practices to prevent groundwater contamination and abandoned wells that continue to leak toxic chemicals.

Supports stronger oversight and enforcement in the oil and gas industry.

Prioritizes protecting land and groundwater from contamination.

Advocates for plugging orphaned wells using industry funding rather than taxpayer dollars.

Supports requiring and investing in recycling and reusing industrial water to reduce reliance on groundwater, warning that current disposal practices risk earthquakes and surface blowouts due to limited underground storage space.

Describes himself as supportive of oil and gas while advocating improved industry practices

States he is “source agnostic” on renewable energy and supports reliable, affordable power.

Supports increased accountability to safeguard natural resources and communities.

Supports hiring experienced inspectors and issuing fines for regulatory violations.

- Supports stronger oversight and enforcement in the oil and gas industry.
- Prioritizes protecting land and groundwater from contamination.
- Advocates for plugging orphaned wells using industry funding rather than taxpayer dollars.
- Supports requiring and investing in recycling and reusing industrial water to reduce reliance on groundwater, warning that current disposal practices risk earthquakes and surface blowouts due to limited underground storage space.
- Describes himself as supportive of oil and gas while advocating improved industry practices
- States he is “source agnostic” on renewable energy and supports reliable, affordable power.
- Supports increased accountability to safeguard natural resources and communities.
- Supports hiring experienced inspectors and issuing fines for regulatory violations.

Energy & the Environment

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Hawk Dunlap

Hawk Dunlap is originally from Longview, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Stephen F. Austin State University. Dunlap shares three children with his now ex-wife.

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Hawk Dunlap is running for Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2026. He previously ran for Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2024, but did not win.

Supports investment in recycling produced water and reducing reliance on groundwater.

Expresses concern about produced water injection and its environmental effects.

States he is “source agnostic” on renewable energy and supports reliable, affordable power

Supports increased accountability to safeguard natural resources and communities

Supports hiring experienced inspectors and issuing fines for regulatory violations

- Supports stronger oversight and enforcement in the oil and gas industry.
- Prioritizes protecting land and groundwater from contamination.
- Advocates for plugging orphaned wells using industry funding rather than taxpayer dollars.
- Supports investment in recycling produced water and reducing reliance on groundwater.
- Expresses concern about produced water injection and its environmental effects.
- Describes himself as supportive of oil and gas while advocating improved industry practices
- States he is “source agnostic” on renewable energy and supports reliable, affordable power
- Supports increased accountability to safeguard natural resources and communities
- Supports hiring experienced inspectors and issuing fines for regulatory violations

- The railroad commissioner is one of three members of the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, liquified petroleum gas, coal and uranium mining, and oversees clean drinking water. Despite its name, the commission no longer regulates railroads.
- Railroad commissioners are elected in statewide partisan elections for six-year, staggered terms, with one seat up for election every two years. The commissioners elect the chairman, and the Governor appoints replacements if a vacancy arises.

One of three commissioners who oversee the oil and gas industry, coal and uranium mining, and clean drinking water. 