Maybe voters just don’t like the name “Dale Henry.” Despite having a small but sophisticated campaign operation, some newspaper endorsements, and hands-on experience in the oil-and-gas industry, Henry lost the Railroad Commission run-off to Mark Thompson, an affable political newbie and disability rights advocate who also finished a strong first in the three-way March primary. At the time, Thompson seemed just as surprised as the few pundits who followed the low-profile race. “Most newspaper editorial boards and Democratic clubs gave me the brush-off,” he said. “So all I had was my website [www.markfortexas.com], and I just tried to talk to as many people as possible. Plus I talked to a couple of bloggers.” Some candidates have all the luck. Thompson says he began studying up on the Railroad Commission in 2006, after a North Texas couple died when their house exploded as a result of a natural-gas leak beneath it. “I don’t want people to die because of money,” he said. “And I don’t want the environment to suffer because of money. My motive [for running] is pure.” The Democratic nominee will face GOP incumbent Michael Williams in November. Tuesday’s run-off returns gave Thompson nearly 60% of the statewide vote. Although Henry won the election day vote in Travis Co. (where his name was first on the ballot), he lost in the county’s final tally by nearly 500 votes.
This article appears in April 11 • 2008.
