Commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas · November 3, 2026
Who should I vote for in the Texas commissioner of the general land office race?
Dawn Buckingham has the strongest record in the Texas commissioner of the general land office race. Dawn Buckingham scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Benjamin Flores at 56, as of October 5, 2026. Dawn Buckingham's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Benjamin Flores's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Neill Snider (5 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Dawn Buckingham
On the ballot as DAWN BUCKINGHAM
65 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 63
Democratic
Benjamin Flores
On the ballot as BENJAMIN FLORES
56 / 100
Public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Neill Snider
On the ballot as NEILL SNIDER
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Dawn Buckingham
- Unresolved2025-11
Former Alamo Trust president Kate Rogers sued her, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the trust in federal court in November 2025, alleging they violated her First Amendment rights by pressing for her resignation.
Where it stands: Pending in U.S. District Court (San Antonio); on Aug. 25, 2026 the judge denied most motions to dismiss, including the First Amendment claims against her. No finding of liability.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Nov. 17, 2025, San Antonio Express-News via Yahoo News, Aug. 26, 2026
- On the record2026-07
On July 31, 2026 she sent a cease and desist letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and contractor Barnard Construction over clearing of GLO-managed land in Presidio County without the agency's consent.
Sources: Texas Tribune, July 31, 2026, Texas Tribune, Aug. 21, 2026, KLTV, Aug. 21, 2026
- On the record2025-01 to 2026-01
HUD referred its Hurricane Harvey aid discrimination finding against the GLO to the Justice Department in January 2025, then closed the case in January 2026 finding no reasonable cause; the allocations predate her.
Where it stands: Closed by HUD, January 2026.
Source: Texas Tribune, Jan. 29, 2026
- On the record2025-10
In October 2025 she called an Alamo post recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day unacceptable, writing that woke has no place at the Alamo, and sent the Alamo Trust board a critical letter.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Nov. 17, 2025, San Antonio Express-News via Yahoo News, Aug. 26, 2026
- On the record2024-11
In November 2024 she offered a 1,402-acre GLO ranch in Starr County to the incoming Trump administration for a deportation facility and announced the Jocelyn Initiative to identify more state land for that use.
Source: Texas Tribune, Nov. 26, 2024
- On the record2023-03
In March 2023 she called Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and a Texas A&M official about a lecture her daughter attended, which A&M said started its investigation of professor Joy Alonzo, who denied the remark.
Sources: Texas Tribune, July 25, 2023, Texas Tribune, Aug. 2, 2023
- On the record2017-02
PolitiFact rated False her Feb. 8, 2017 campaign email claim that hundreds of immigrants subject to detainers were released in the week after a Travis County sheriff policy took effect.
Source: PolitiFact, Feb. 10, 2017
- Credit2017 to 2021
As a state senator she was lead author of at least 40 bills enacted in the 2017, 2019 and 2021 regular sessions, including the 2021 LCRA broadband law (SB 632), per Texas Legislature Online.
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 87th Legislature (2021), Texas Legislature Online, SB 632 (87R) history
Benjamin Flores
- Mark against2026
The Texas Ethics Commission delinquent filer list dated Oct. 2, 2026 shows an unpaid $1,500 late-filing fine incurred as a candidate for Land Commissioner, not referred to the Attorney General.
- Unresolved2024
Neighbors Kimberly Brown and Jason Morrison sued him, his wife and their farm in 2024 alleging a nuisance; a judge ruled in August 2024 that the Right to Farm statute did not bar the suit.
Where it stands: Civil suit in Matagorda County; unresolved as of the March 2025 Texas Monthly report. Current status not confirmed; no judgment found.
Sources: Texas Monthly, March 27, 2025, Bay City Tribune, Oct. 17, 2025
- On the record2025-10
In October 2025 he withdrew from the Democratic primary for governor, endorsed Gina Hinojosa, and entered the race for Land Commissioner.
Sources: Bay City Tribune, Oct. 17, 2025, Texas Tribune via KSAT, June 12, 2026
- On the record2022
In 2022 the Bay City council unanimously denied his variance from the city ban on pigs and set a January 2023 removal deadline; he returned four pigs after the 2023 Right to Farm amendment.
Source: Texas Monthly, March 27, 2025
- Credit2024
As a Bay City council member he abstained from the council vote to hire an environmental firm to test his farm, citing his conflict of interest; the firm found no evidence of pollution.
Source: Texas Monthly, March 27, 2025
Neill Snider
- On the record2026
A Waco mechanical contractor whose family runs a small cattle operation, he was the Libertarian nominee for Land Commissioner in 2026 and reported $694 in in-kind support through June 30.
Sources: San Antonio Report candidate profile, July 14, 2026, Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Dawn Buckingham. Campaign filer with the Texas Ethics Commission (filer 00069001). No public sworn complaint order names her and she is not on the Oct. 2, 2026 delinquent filer list. PolitiFact rated one 2017 claim False (E15: not scored).
Sources: Texas Ethics Commission, Sworn Complaint Open Orders (searched Oct. 5, 2026), PolitiFact, Dawn Buckingham scorecard
Benjamin Flores. Campaign filer with the Texas Ethics Commission (filer 00089819) reporting $8,139 raised Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026. No public sworn complaint order names him.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, Sworn Complaint Open Orders (searched Oct. 5, 2026)
Neill Snider. Campaign filer with the Texas Ethics Commission (filer 00058885) reporting $694 raised Jan. 1 to June 30, 2026. No public sworn complaint order names him and he is not on the delinquent filer list.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, Texas Ethics Commission, Sworn Complaint Open Orders (searched Oct. 5, 2026)
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Dawn Buckingham. On July 31, 2026 she sent a cease and desist letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and its contractor over clearing of GLO land in Presidio County, which the Texas Tribune called a rare break with the Trump administration.
Sources: Texas Tribune, July 31, 2026, Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Benjamin Flores. No public record found.
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Dawn Buckingham. Gives unscripted press interviews (KLTV, Aug. 2026) and holds public news conferences. No 2026 general election debate or forum for this race was found in straight news as of Oct. 5, 2026.
Benjamin Flores. Was scheduled to speak at an open public candidate forum in Canyon Lake before the 2026 primary and addressed the Texas Democratic Convention in June 2026. No 2026 general election debate for this race was found.
Sources: My Canyon Lake, Jan. 31, 2026, Texas Tribune via KSAT, June 12, 2026
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Dawn Buckingham. Texas Senate District 24 from 2017 to 2023 and Land Commissioner since 2023. No censure, reprimand or formal conduct finding found. A federal First Amendment suit naming her is pending and does not move the score.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dawn Buckingham
Benjamin Flores. Bay City council member since 2023 after about 30 years in cybersecurity and compliance. No censure, reprimand or formal conduct finding found. A neighbors' civil nuisance suit over his pig farm is an open item.
Source: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Dawn Buckingham. Took the oath as a state senator (2017 to 2023) and as Land Commissioner (2023 to present). No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded vote or filing to reject certified election results found.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dawn Buckingham
Benjamin Flores. Holds sworn municipal office on the Bay City City Council since 2023. No official finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified election results found.
Source: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Neill Snider. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Dawn Buckingham. Two terms in the Texas Senate (2017 to 2023) and Land Commissioner since 2023, in the final months of her first term. Physician with a UT Medical Branch M.D.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dawn Buckingham
Benjamin Flores. Elected Bay City council member (2023), member of the Bay City Development Corporation board and the Houston-Galveston Area Council, with a 30-year cybersecurity and compliance career.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Benjamin Flores, Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Neill Snider. Waco mechanical contractor with nearly four decades in the trades, managing projects and meeting payroll; his family runs a small cattle operation. No government service.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Dawn Buckingham. Runs the office she seeks and has announced specific agency initiatives, including exploring geothermal, small modular nuclear and natural gas generation on state lands. Chaired the Senate Nominations Committee in 2021.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, Texas Legislature Online, committee assignments, 87th Legislature
Benjamin Flores. Published specific plans within the office's powers: a roster of pre-vetted disaster contractors, public recovery timelines and dashboards, renewable leasing for the Permanent School Fund and Veterans Land Board outreach.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, Community Impact, Sept. 11, 2026
Neill Snider. Published positions in general terms: maximize revenue from state land or sell it, support energy leasing and increase GLO transparency.
Source: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Dawn Buckingham. Answered the Community Impact 2026 candidate questionnaire, publishes issue pages on her campaign site and gives press interviews. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Community Impact, Sept. 11, 2026, Campaign website, Ballotpedia, Dawn Buckingham
Benjamin Flores. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey, answered the Community Impact questionnaire and publishes issue pages on his campaign site.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Benjamin Flores, Community Impact, Sept. 11, 2026, Campaign website
Neill Snider. One channel: issue positions on his campaign site. Did not answer the Community Impact questionnaire or Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Campaign website, Community Impact, Sept. 11, 2026, Ballotpedia, Neil Snider (Texas)
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Dawn Buckingham. A ninth-generation Texan educated at UT Austin (1992) and UT Medical Branch (1997) who represented a Central Texas Senate district. In-state share of contributions not computed from TEC filings.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, Ballotpedia, Dawn Buckingham
Benjamin Flores. Lives in Bay City, Matagorda County, after moving from Austin; came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1996. The Tribune dates the Bay City move to 2016; Texas Monthly dates the land purchase to 2022.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, Texas Monthly, March 27, 2025
Neill Snider. Lives in Waco. Years of residence not documented.
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Dawn Buckingham. Heads the General Land Office, which manages 13 million acres and administers over $14.3 billion in disaster recovery and mitigation grants. No TEC late-filing fine on the Oct. 2, 2026 delinquent list.
Sources: Texas Tribune, Sept. 18, 2026, GLO and Veterans Land Board Strategic Plan, FY 2027 to 2031, Texas Ethics Commission delinquent filer list, candidates and officeholders
Benjamin Flores. Listed on the Texas Ethics Commission delinquent filer list (Oct. 2, 2026) with an unpaid $1,500 late-filing fine incurred as a candidate for Land Commissioner, not referred to the Attorney General.
Source: Texas Ethics Commission delinquent filer list, candidates and officeholders
Neill Snider. No public record found.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Dawn Buckingham. Lead author of 12 bills enacted in the 2021 regular session (79 primary-authored), 16 in 2019 and 12 in 2017, per Texas Legislature Online, including the 2021 LCRA broadband law (SB 632).
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 87th Legislature (2021), Texas Legislature Online, bills authored, 86th Legislature (2019)
Benjamin Flores. No public record found.
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Dawn Buckingham. No public record found.
Benjamin Flores. No public record found.
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Dawn Buckingham. No public record found.
Benjamin Flores. No public record found.
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Dawn Buckingham. SB 632 (2021), which she authored, was coauthored by Democratic Sens. Sarah Eckhardt and Royce West and took effect April 30, 2021. One bipartisan enacted result documented.
Sources: Texas Legislature Online, SB 632 (87R) history, Texas Tribune directory, Sarah Eckhardt, Texas Tribune directory, Royce West
Benjamin Flores. No public record found.
Neill Snider. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Dawn Buckingham. No public record found.
Benjamin Flores. No public record found.
Neill Snider. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 5, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Texas commissioner of the general land office race?
Dawn Buckingham has the strongest record in the Texas commissioner of the general land office race. Dawn Buckingham scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Benjamin Flores at 56, as of October 5, 2026. Dawn Buckingham's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Benjamin Flores's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Neill Snider (5 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Texas commissioner of the general land office race in 2026?
DAWN BUCKINGHAM (Republican, incumbent), BENJAMIN FLORES (Democratic), NEILL SNIDER (Libertarian). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Dawn Buckingham a good candidate for Commissioner of the General Land Office?
Dawn Buckingham scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 63 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Benjamin Flores a good candidate for Commissioner of the General Land Office?
Benjamin Flores scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 9 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Neill Snider a good candidate for Commissioner of the General Land Office?
Neill Snider has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Texas race scored, and the Texas 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.