The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is at the center of a pivotal 2026 statewide race. Incumbent Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, a ninth‑generation Texan with a proven record of supporting Texas schools, veterans, disaster relief and the state’s energy heritage, is running for a second term. She is challenged by Democrat Benjamin Flores, a cybersecurity specialist from Bay City.
Why the GLO Matters to Texans
The GLO manages more than 13 million acres of state land, including 3,400 miles of coastline and tidelands that extend ten miles into the Gulf. Proceeds from land sales and leases feed the Permanent School Fund, which now holds over $57 billion and distributes more than $2.4 billion each year to K‑12 schools. The agency also administers disaster‑relief assistance, runs the Veterans Land Board, oversees mineral‑rights leasing and operates the historic Alamo.
Incumbent: Dawn Buckingham (Republican)
Commissioner Buckingham entered the race unopposed in the Republican primary. Her campaign finance report shows $3.2 million cash on hand as of June 30, with major contributions from energy and real‑estate leaders, including a $100,000 donation from Ron Amini of Sage Energy.
Her experience blends medicine, public service and Texas heritage. A trained surgeon, she was the first Republican woman elected to the Texas Senate from Travis County in 2016 and became the first woman to lead the GLO in 2022. Buckingham’s policy platform emphasizes:
- Expanding geothermal, small modular nuclear and natural‑gas projects on state lands to secure energy independence.
- Supporting border‑security initiatives, including the Jocelyn Initiative to detain and deport criminal illegal immigrants.
- Protecting Texas’s oil and gas sector as a cornerstone of the state’s economy and national security.
- Preserving the Alamo while rejecting “woke” reinterpretations of its history.
- Continuing the GLO’s contributions of nearly $6 billion to public education and over $9 billion in disaster‑recovery funding.
President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Buckingham, noting her alignment with the Trump agenda and her commitment to Texas‑first values.
Challenger: Benjamin Flores (Democrat)
Democrat Benjamin Flores entered the race after withdrawing from the gubernatorial primary. He secured the Democratic nomination by defeating veteran labor leader Jose Loya. Flores’s campaign finance report lists $3,001 cash on hand, with modest contributions from local donors.
Flores brings three decades of cybersecurity and compliance experience, having protected county governments from fraud. He moved from Austin to Bay City in 2016, where he started a family pig‑raising operation and was elected to the Bay City City Council in 2023 on a platform of government transparency.
His campaign emphasizes modernizing the GLO’s technology, expanding renewable‑energy opportunities and increasing outreach to underserved communities.
Key Issues and Voter Considerations
Texans who prioritize strong disaster‑relief response, robust funding for public schools and a steadfast defense of Texas heritage may find Buckingham’s record compelling. Her support for energy development aligns with the state’s economic independence and national security.
Voters concerned about expanding renewable‑energy projects, improving cybersecurity within the GLO and broadening community engagement may be drawn to Flores’s proposals.
Endorsements and Support
In addition to President Trump, Buckingham enjoys endorsements from Texas Railroad Commissioners Wayne Christian and Jim Wright, 11 state senators, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, the National Border Patrol Council and major industry groups such as the Texas Oil & Gas Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Flores’s endorsements are limited but include local community leaders and a coalition of progressive donors.
How to Vote
The land commissioner race appears on the November 2026 ballot. Voters can find polling locations and registration deadlines on the Texas Secretary of State website. For more information, visit the candidates’ campaign websites or contact their offices via the provided forms.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
