AUSTIN — Turns out, money can’t guarantee you victory in Texas.

Political newcomer Jim Wright proved the point in a stunning primary upset Tuesday for a seat on the Railroad Commission regulating the oil and gas industry. The rancher and former bull rider trounced Republican incumbent Commissioner Ryan Sitton, who had has amassed over $2.2 million in his campaign coffers.

By comparison, Wright spent less than $15,000 in the statewide race, campaign finance reports show.

“It really is a grassroots campaign,” said Steve Ray, Wright’s political consultant. “Truthfully, there was no money to do anything else.”

The race for Railroad Commission typically draws little attention. And Sitton, a well-funded incumbent endorsed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, seemed poised to coast to an easy victory in the two-way GOP primary. So, what happened?

Sitton cleaned up in the Houston-area, pulling over 66% of the vote in Harris County, which is home to many major oil and gas companies. But Wright of Robstown posted big returns across rural Texas that helped propel him to a 10-point victory, according to unofficial results.

“Harris County is the epicenter of oil and gas activity, they liked Sitton and backed him, but that’s not enough in a primary where there are lots of competing other interests,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. “This is a race where a less well known and underfunded candidate can sneak up on a flat-footed incumbent who isn’t ready for that battle.”

Sitton, an engineer, was first elected to the three-member Railroad Commission in 2014. He made headlines in 2017 for a public spat with commissioner chairwoman Christi Craddick, accusing her of acting beyond her authority in the departure of a top-level employee.

Wright, who owns four energy services companies, campaigned on a promise to “restore integrity and trust to the Texas Railroad Commission,” according to his website.

Critics of the commission have argued members too often side with industry, while accepting campaign donations from oil and gas company executives.

“I am an outsider when it comes to government, but I know how to bring more people to the table and include stakeholders, the general public and the Commission as we look at changes needed in regulation of the energy sector, transparency and in developing strong ethics rules for agency employees,” Wright wrote. He couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.

Wright won in all but two dozen counties, unofficial returns show.

Ray said Wright spent a lot of time in rural areas talking about the importance of oil and gas for their communities. “We wanted every Texan to know every vote was important,” he said.

Wright also may have his name to thank. He won in vote-heavy Dallas and Tarrant counties, where residents are likely familiar with another Jim Wright, the former Texas House Speaker who represented Tarrant County in Congress for over three decades. A freeway in the Fort Worth area is named for him.

“Small factors can change minds, even a little bit,” Rottinghaus said. “People recognize the name and go for comfort over information.”

But, Rottinghaus said, that can’t be the only factor given the race was “such a blowout.”

Sitton conceded the race Tuesday and congratulated Wright. His campaign did not return a request for comment.

“It's been an honor and incredibly rewarding to put my experience to work for Texas,” he said on Twitter. “I appreciate everyone who voted for me and all of my incredible supporters and I look forward to what God has in store next!”

For his part, Wright thanked all who turned out to vote.

"My campaign has been a grassroots campaign ... all the way ... and this win tonight means that Texans believe in integrity, leadership and innovation," he wrote.

It’s not clear who Wright will face in November. The Democratic primary will likely advance to a runoff election on May 26, since none of the four candidates captured a majority of the vote Tuesday. The top vote-getters were Dallas attorney Chrysta Castañeda and former Dallas state Rep. Roberto Alonzo, according to unofficial results.