The Texas General Land Office (GLO), the oldest state agency in Texas, was established in 1836 as the Republic of Texas emerged. Its primary responsibilities include maintaining records, providing maps and surveys, issuing titles, and managing state land settlements.
Currently, the GLO oversees 13 million acres of state land, encompassing 3,400 miles of coastline and tidelands that extend over 10 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Revenue generated from the sale or lease of these lands contributes to the Permanent School Fund, which has more than $57 billion in assets and allocates over $2.4 billion annually to K-12 education across Texas. Additionally, the GLO plays a crucial role in disaster relief administration and manages the Veterans Land Board, which provides land loans up to $150,000 and home loans up to $766,550 for veterans. The agency also handles mineral rights leasing and oversees the historic Alamo site.
The GLO is led by an elected commissioner serving a four-year term, currently held by Dawn Buckingham.
Key issues at stake include the management of billions in disaster relief funds, allocation of resources for public school funding, the narrative of Texas history, and services for veterans. Prior to Buckingham’s tenure, the agency faced scrutiny for allegedly neglecting communities of color in Houston during disaster relief distribution after Hurricane Harvey. Although a federal investigation initially supported these claims, recent findings deemed them flawed, resulting in the case’s closure. The office also became a focal point of controversy when Buckingham labeled an Alamo Trust social media post recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as “woke,” leading to an investigation and the dismissal of the CEO.
In the Republican primary, Buckingham ran unopposed, while Democratic candidate Benjamin Flores, who once aimed for the gubernatorial seat, overcame labor leader Jose Loya to secure the Democratic nomination for land commissioner.
Candidates Overview
Dawn Buckingham – Republican, Incumbent
Campaign finance: Cash on hand as of June 30: $3,216,157; Amount raised between Jan. 1-June 30: $646,865.
Major donors this year include Ron Amini ($100,000), Tom Martine ($50,000), and the Texas Sands PAC ($15,000).
Experience: Buckingham, a trained surgeon specializing in eyelid reconstruction, earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. In 2016, she made history as the first Republican elected to the Texas State Senate from Travis County and the first woman to represent Senate District 24. She won the statewide election for land commissioner in 2022, becoming the first woman to hold this position.
Political ideology: Known for her conservative stance, Buckingham advocates for anti-abortion policies, supports the Second Amendment, and endorses Texas’s oil and gas industry. She promotes a pro-business economy, low taxes, and limited government, opposing what she labels “woke” interpretations of Texas heritage. Her views include strong border enforcement and cooperation on immigration control, and she has characterized herself as a defender of the Trump agenda.
Policy stances: Buckingham’s initiatives include exploring geothermal energy development, supporting the construction of the border wall, and promoting Texas’s energy dominance. Under her leadership, the GLO has contributed nearly $6 billion to public education and delivered substantial disaster recovery funding.
Benjamin Flores – Democrat
Campaign finance: Cash on hand as of June 30: $3,001; Amount raised between Jan. 1-June 30: $3,604.
Major donors this year include Bill Naso ($2,500) and Domingo Garcia ($1,000).
Experience: With three decades in cybersecurity, Flores has worked to protect local government from fraud. Originally from Mexico, he gained disaster response experience in California before relocating to Texas in 2016. Elected to the Bay City council in 2023, he advocates for transparency in government.
Political ideology: Flores emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change and criticizes bureaucratic inefficiencies in disaster response. He opposes school vouchers and expresses concern over how current GLO resources are utilized, particularly regarding border enforcement.
Policy stances: Flores aims to streamline disaster response, prioritize public education funding, and support veterans. He advocates for affordable housing initiatives and opposes political maneuvers that undermine democratic processes.
Neill Snider – Libertarian
Campaign finance: Cash on hand as of June 30: $0; Amount raised between Jan. 1-June 30: $694.
Major donors this cycle include the Libertarian Booster PAC.
Experience: Snider is a mechanical contractor and cattle operations owner with over 40 years in trade industries.
Political ideology: As a libertarian, Snider supports minimal government intervention and advocates for the protection of individual rights, including free speech and property rights.
Policy stances: He seeks to reduce taxes by maximizing profits from state-managed lands and enhance transparency within the GLO.
