The victory marks a major political shift for the three-member Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the state's massive oil and gas industry, overseeing everything from pipeline safety to natural gas rates. [...] Despite his victory, Republicans will retain a 2-1 majority on the commission, meaning Rosenthal will face limits on his ability to implement his priorities without support from his Republican colleagues.

I don't remember the details, but I learned from Well There's Your Problem that the texas railroad commissioner is a surprisingly powerful position. So much things not really related to railroad is part of their mandate.

For those who don't know, Karl Rove called French a Nazi and pledged to vote for Rosenthal.

This was the too many Indians at the football dude yeah ?