Texas State Representative, District 135

Jon Rosenthal is a mechanical engineer who worked more than 25 years in and around the oil and gas industry, including as a subsea systems engineer¹. He has represented Texas House District 135 in northwest Houston since January 2019 and is not seeking reelection to the House¹. He was unopposed in the March 2026 Democratic primary for railroad commissioner¹².

Where they stand

• Energy and climate: All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pick Said · medium confidence
  • Rosenthal's campaign site calls for common-sense All of the Above energy strategies, including capturing gas instead of flaring it and encouraging geothermal. (2026) source
  • In a Ballotpedia survey he said he would promote an All of the Above approach and strike a sensible balance between environmental concerns and industry activity. (2026) source
  • The Texas Tribune reports he supports lower carbon emissions and said federal energy and infrastructure laws helped the country's energy needs. (2026-09-15) source
• Texas power grid: Require weatherization and bigger reserves, even if bills rise Questionnaire answer · medium confidence
  • In a Ballotpedia survey he said he would implement weatherization requirements for critical gas delivery systems with clear deadlines and audits and hold violators accountable. (2026) source
  • Voted yes on the conference report for SB 3, the 2021 law on preparing for weather emergencies and power outages after Winter Storm Uri; the House adopted it 142 to 0. (2021-05-30) source
• AI data centers: Allow them case by case, with strict local rules on siting, noise and water Said · high confidence
  • His campaign site says the state should require a water and power resource management plan before data center construction, bar construction next to residential areas, and let communities disallow construction. (2026) source
  • Voted yes on SB 6, the 2025 law requiring large electric loads such as data centers to share interconnection costs and allowing their curtailment in grid emergencies, which passed the House 103 to 25. (2025-05-27) source
• Business regulation: Stronger rules on big corporations, banks and tech companies Said · medium confidence
  • The Texas Tribune reports he would end routine gas flaring and venting, add modern leak detection requirements, and deny new permits to companies that violate rules. (2026-09-15) source
  • In a Ballotpedia survey he said the Railroad Commission has become a pay-to-play playground for oil and gas insiders and that he would restore accountability. (2026) source
  • The Texas Tribune reports he said the commission has not sufficiently enforced its regulations. (2026-09-15) source

Record

• Elected to the Texas House from District 135 in 2018, defeating a longtime Republican incumbent, and has served since January 2019¹.
• Voted yes on SB 3 (2021), the post-Winter Storm Uri grid and weatherization law⁵.
• Voted yes on SB 6 (2025), the law on planning, interconnection and cost sharing for large electric loads including data centers⁶⁷.
• Endorsed by former Republican Railroad Commission candidate Hawk Dunlap, the Sierra Club and the Texas AFL-CIO².