# Ryan Sitton

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{{Short description|American politician (b.1975)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name        = Ryan Sitton
| image       = Ryan Sitton.png
| caption     = Sitton in 2013
| office      = [Railroad Commissioner of Texas](/source/Railroad_Commission_of_Texas)
| governor    = [Greg Abbott](/source/Greg_Abbott)
| term_start  = January 5, 2015
| term_end    = January 4, 2021
| predecessor = [Barry T. Smitherman](/source/Barry_T._Smitherman)
| successor   = [Jim Wright](/source/Jim_Wright_(commissioner))
| birth_name  = Ryan Christopher Sitton
| birth_date  = {{birth year and age|1975}}
| birth_place = [Irving, Texas](/source/Irving%2C_Texas), U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| party       = [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States))
| spouse      = Jennifer Sitton
| children    = 3
| education   = [Texas A&M University](/source/Texas_A%26M_University) ([BS](/source/Bachelor_of_Science))
| website     = {{url|RyanSitton.com|Campaign website}}
}}
'''Ryan Christopher Sitton''' (born 1975) is an American politician affiliated with the [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)). He was a member of the [Texas Railroad Commission](/source/Texas_Railroad_Commission) from 2015 to 2021.

== Personal life and education ==
Sitton was raised in Irving, Texas with his three siblings by his mother and father, both high school science teachers. Sitton displayed a talent for math and science. Sitton attended [Cistercian Preparatory School](/source/Cistercian_Preparatory_School)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cistercian.org/school/publications/continuum_pdfs/Fall%202010%20Continuum.pdf|title=Fall 2010 Continuum|last=|first=|date=|website=|accessdate=}}</ref> and went on to study Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University where he met his wife, Jennifer, also a mechanical engineering major.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ryansitton.com/about|title=About Ryan|newspaper=Ryan Sitton for Texas Railroad Commissioner|accessdate=2017-02-16|language=en}}</ref>

They now have three children and are active members of St. Andrews Episcopal Church.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.oilandgasawards.com/guestofhonor/commissioner-ryan-sitton/|title=Commissioner Ryan Sitton|newspaper=Oil & Gas Awards|accessdate=2017-02-16|language=en-us}}</ref> In his spare time, Sitton is an avid fitness enthusiast, does P90X every day and maintains a collection of over 100,000 Legos.<ref name=F1>Helman, Christopher. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherhelman/2016/12/09/texas-oil-regulator-trump-epa-pick-is-good-at-breaking-down-worthless-organizations/#13d7aba54a73 "Texas Oil Regulator: Trump EPA Pick Is Good At 'Breaking Down Worthless Organizations.'"] ''Forbes''. Dec. 9, 2016.</ref>

== Business career ==
Sitton spent his early career working for oil and gas companies, including ALCOA, Oxy, Marathon, and Berwanger Engineering and Consulting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ryansitton.com/about|title=About Ryan|work=Ryan Sitton for Texas Railroad Commissioner|access-date=2017-02-27|language=en}}</ref> In 2006, the Sittons founded PinnacleART, an engineering and technology company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pinnacleart.com/who-we-are-comprehensive-reliability/our-history/|title=Our History - Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies|work=Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies|access-date=2017-02-27|language=en-US}}</ref> PinnacleART operates on [solar power](/source/solar_power) with [natural gas](/source/natural_gas) backups.<ref name=F1/>

==Political career==
===2012 Texas House of Representatives race===

In 2012, Sitton lost a runoff contest with fellow Republican [Greg Bonnen](/source/Greg_Bonnen) in [Galveston County](/source/Galveston_County%2C_Texas) for the District 24 seat in the [Texas House of Representatives](/source/Texas_House_of_Representatives).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe|title=2012 Republican runoff election returns (House District 24)|publisher=elections.sos.state.tx.us|accessdate=February 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe|archivedate=January 9, 2014}}</ref>

===Texas Railroad Commissioner===
{{main|Texas elections, 2014#Railroad Commissioner|2020 Texas elections#Railroad Commission}}
Incumbent officeholder [Barry Smitherman](/source/Barry_Smitherman) decided to run, unsuccessfully, for [state attorney general](/source/Attorney_General_of_Texas), thus creating an open seat. Sitton announced his candidacy for the Railroad Commission.

Sitton polled 398,652 votes (57.3 percent) to Christian's 297,654 (42.7 percent).<ref>[http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/Texas-GOP-Picks-Ryan-Sitton-as-Railroad-Commissioner-260858611.html Texas GOP Picks Ryan Sitton as Railroad Commissioner], ''[KXAS-TV](/source/KXAS-TV)'', May 27, 2014.</ref> Sitton outspent Christian by a large amount.<ref>Grissom, Brandi. [http://www.texastribune.org/2014/05/28/tea-party-conservatives-win-top-gop-runoff-contest/ Tea Party Conservatives Win Top GOP Runoff Contests], ''[Texas Tribune](/source/Texas_Tribune)'', May 28, 2014.</ref>

Sitton faced Steve Brown, a [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) businessman from [Houston](/source/Houston%2C_Texas), [Libertarian Party](/source/Libertarian_Party_of_Texas) candidate Mark Miller, and [Green Party](/source/Green_Party_of_the_United_States) candidate Martina Salinas.<ref>[https://www.texastribune.org/2014/elections/brackets/ News App: The 2014 Election Brackets], ''[Texas Tribune](/source/Texas_Tribune)'', May 29, 2014.</ref> Sitton won the general election with 58% of the vote.<ref name=geresults>{{cite web |url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/nov04_175_state.htm |title=Office of the Secretary of State 2014 General Election Election Night Returns |publisher=Texas Secretary of State |accessdate=March 3, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105175126/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/nov04_175_state.htm |archivedate=November 5, 2014 }}</ref>

Sitton was sworn in on January 5, 2015, succeeding outgoing Commissioner [Barry Smitherman](/source/Barry_Smitherman).<ref>(January 5, 2015) - [http://www.kvue.com/story/news/politics/2015/01/05/ryan-sitton-sworn-in-as-railroad-commissioner/21285505/ "Ryan Sitton Sworn In as Railroad Commissioner"]. ''KVUE.com''. Retrieved March 3, 2015.</ref><ref>(January 5, 2015) - [http://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/news/texas-railroad-commissioner-ryan-sitton-sworn-in/article_91175f3c-952c-11e4-a3db-3f734f86d2e8.html "Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton Sworn-In"]. ''Weatherford Democrat''. Retrieved March 3, 2015.</ref> He is the first mechanical engineer to serve on the Commission in 50 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ryansitton.com/about/|title=About Ryan – Ryan Sitton|website=ryansitton.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-05}}</ref><ref name=F1/>

In December 2016, Sitton praised President [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump)'s choice for EPA head, [Scott Pruitt](/source/Scott_Pruitt), predicting that Trump and Pruitt's reduction of federal regulations would lead to an oil boom.<ref name=F1/>

In 2017, Sitton voted in favor of Exxon Mobil in a regulation issue. He did not, however, disclose that Exxon Mobil is a client of his company, PinnacleART. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2017/02/06/how-blind-is-this-texas-oil-regulator-s-blind-trust-managed-by-his-brother-in-law/|title=How blind is this Texas oil regulator's blind trust, managed by his brother-in-law?|date=February 6, 2017|website=Dallas News}}</ref>

In 2019, Sitton was passed over for Railroad Commission chairman, a break from tradition since the incumbent closest to re-election is usually chosen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/news/20190621/why-railroad-commissioners-broke-with-tradition-and-skipped-over-ryan-sitton-for-top-spot|title=Why Railroad commissioners broke with tradition and skipped over Ryan Sitton for top spot|first=Asher|last=Price|website=Austin American-Statesman}}</ref>

In 2020, Sitton lost the Republican primary for reelection to [Jim Wright](/source/Jim_Wright_(commissioner)), despite having the support of the Texas governor, lieutenant governor, and both of the state's senators. Sitton's campaign had raised $2 million more than Wright's $13,000 campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/03/04/Ryan-sitton-loses-republican-primary-railroad-commission-upset/|title=Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton concedes Republican primary in surprising upset|first=Emma|last=Platoff|date=March 4, 2020|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/upset-incumbent-railroad-commissioner-ryan-sitton-ousted-by-newcomer/|title=Upset: Incumbent Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton Ousted by Newcomer|date=March 4, 2020|website=The Texas Observer}}</ref>

Sitton played a significant role in the [2020 Russia–Saudi Arabia oil price war](/source/2020_Russia%E2%80%93Saudi_Arabia_oil_price_war).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-04/a-lame-duck-regulator-who-became-the-face-of-shale-in-oil-wars|title=A Lame-Duck Regulator Who Became the Face of Shale in Oil Wars|newspaper=Bloomberg |date=April 4, 2020|via=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Railroad-Commissioner-Ryan-Sitton-invited-to-15146887.php|title=Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton invited to OPEC's June meeting|first=Sergio|last=Chapa|date=March 20, 2020|website=Chron}}</ref>

In 2020, Sitton returned to work as CEO at PinnacleART.

==Election history==
<!-- = = = don't edit the line below = = = -->
{{hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#cff|title=Ryan Sitton electoral history|contentstyle=border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:white;}}
<!-- = = = don't edit the line above = = = -->
;2014
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Railroad Commission, Republican Party Primary Runoff, May 27, 2014<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=2014 Republican Party Primary Runoff, Election Night Returns |url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/may27_173_state.htm?x=0&y=0&id=587 |newspaper=Office of the Secretary of State |location=[Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas) |publisher=State of Texas |date=May 28, 2014 |accessdate=May 31, 2014}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''Ryan Sitton'''
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 239,251
| percentage = 60.20
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Wayne Christian
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 158,147
| percentage = 39.79
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 696,821
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = Railroad Commission, Republican primary results, March 04, 2014<ref name="TXSOS03042014">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Race Summary Report, 2014 Republican Party Primary Election |url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |newspaper=Office of the Secretary of State |location=[Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas) |publisher=State of Texas |date=March 4, 2014 |accessdate=May 31, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archivedate=January 9, 2014 }}</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''Wayne Christian'''
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 503,634
| percentage = 42.68
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''Ryan Sitton'''
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 360,125
| percentage = 30.52
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Becky Berger
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 198,672
| percentage = 16.83
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Malachi Boyuls
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 117,511
| percentage = 9.95
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 1,179,942
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
;2012
{{Election box begin no change
| title = State Representative District 24, Republican Party Primary Runoff, July 31, 2012<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=2014 Republican Party Primary Runoff, Election Night Returns |url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |newspaper=Office of the Secretary of State |location=[Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas) |publisher=State of Texas |date=July 31, 2012 |accessdate=May 31, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archivedate=January 9, 2014 }}</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''Greg Bonnen'''
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 8,608
| percentage = 57.72
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ryan Sitton
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,305
| percentage = 42.27
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 14,913
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = State Representative District 24, Republican primary results, May 29, 2012<ref name="TXSOS05292012">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Race Summary Report, 2012 Republican Party Primary Election |url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |newspaper=Office of the Secretary of State |location=[Austin, Texas](/source/Austin%2C_Texas) |publisher=State of Texas |date=May 29, 2014 |accessdate=May 31, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe |archivedate=January 9, 2014 }}</ref>
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''Greg Bonnen'''
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,951
| percentage = 45.06
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = '''Ryan Sitton'''
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 5,035
| percentage = 32.63
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Heidi Thiess
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 3,440
| percentage = 22.3
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 15,426
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{hidden end}}

== Awards ==
*2015: ''[Houston Business Journal](/source/Houston_Business_Journal)'''s 40 under 40 list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/2014/09/hbj-reveals-the-2014-40-under-40-winners.html|title=HBJ reveals the 2014 40 Under 40 winners |website=www.bizjournals.com |accessdate=2017-02-19}}</ref>
*2015: Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Texas A&M University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://engineering.tamu.edu/news/2015/04/02/mechanical-engineering-distinguished-alumni-visit|title=Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Alumni Visit {{!}} News & Events {{!}} College of Engineering|last=Communications|first=Texas A&M Engineering|date=2015-04-02|website=engineering.tamu.edu|language=english|accessdate=2017-02-16}}</ref>
*2016: Hearst Energy Award for Government Service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/oil/article/20th-annual-annual-Hearst-Energy-Awards-winners-10597388.php|title=20th annual annual Hearst Energy Awards winners|newspaper=San Antonio Express-News|accessdate=2017-02-15}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas|Politics|Christianity}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[Barry Smitherman](/source/Barry_Smitherman)}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [Texas Railroad Commission](/source/Texas_Railroad_Commission)|years=2015–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[Jim Wright](/source/Jim_Wright_(commissioner))}}
{{s-end}}

{{Railroad Commissioners of Texas}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sitton, Ryan}}
Category:1975 births
Category:21st-century American Episcopalians
Category:American mechanical engineers
Category:Businesspeople from Texas
Category:Living people
Category:People from Friendswood, Texas
Category:People from Pasadena, Texas
Category:Texas A&M University alumni
Category:Texas Republicans
Category:Members of the Railroad Commission of Texas
Category:21st-century Texas politicians
Category:21st-century American businesspeople
Category:21st-century American engineers
Category:Engineers from Texas
Category:Episcopalians from Texas
Category:People from Irving, Texas

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ryan Sitton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Sitton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Sitton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.