Barry Smitherman, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, today endorsed State Representative David Simpson (R-Longview), who is running for re-election to Texas’ House District 7. The Railroad Commission is the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing oil and gas production, an important industry in East Texas.

“Principled leaders like David Simpson must continue to serve in the Texas House of Representatives so that together we can take the battle to Obama on a variety of issues, including energy independence and freedom from an out of control EPA that hinders the oil and gas industry. Representative Simpson is my friend and I endorse him for re-election,” said Smitherman.

Smitherman continued, “I was proud to join Representative David Simpson when he stood up to federal bureaucrats at the TSA who threatened the liberty of law-abiding citizens. David Simpson showed that he has the guts needed to stand up against the Obama Administration’s encroachments on Texas.”

A lifelong conservative counting 30 years of involvement with the Republican Party, Chairman Smitherman entered statewide public service in 2004 when Governor Perry appointed him to the Public Utilities Commission. He became chairman of the PUC in 2007 and led reforms that included increasing the efficiency and cutting the cost of the commission. Governor Perry then appointed Smitherman to fill a vacant seat on the Railroad Commission in July of 2011. His peers recently elected him chairman of that body.

Simpson expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, “The Obama Administration is trampling on the rights of Texas businesses—particularly in the oil and gas sector—and it’s time for that to stop. During the past session and even since then, Chairman Smitherman and I have worked together to halt federal encroachments on East Texans. I am honored to have the Chairman’s friendship and grateful for his endorsement as a result of my strong stand against federal overreach.”

Rep. Simpson was elected in 2010 after defeating a 14-year incumbent politician in the primary. He ran on a platform of defending the Constitution, preserving East Texas family values, and restoring government to its proper, limited role. After his freshman session, Simpson received the “Taxpayer Champion” award from Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and the “Freshman of the Year” award from Young Conservatives of Texas; he was also named “Co-MVP of the Freshman Class” by Capitol Inside for his effectiveness as a legislator.