Jose Loya

Jose Loya was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. Loya served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His career experience includes working as a safety management representative at a Valero refinery and serving as a union representative.[1]

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Public land and public funds belong to Texans, not special interests. As Texas Land Commissioner, I will bring transparency and accountability to how our land, energy resources, and disaster funds are managed. That means no sweetheart deals, fair market value from corporations, and decisions made in the public interest. Responsible land management strengthens public schools, protects communities, and ensures taxpayers aren’t left carrying the burden for corporate giveaways.I’m a Marine Corps combat veteran and union staff representative who has spent my life standing with working people. I know what it means to work dangerous jobs, rely on public schools, and navigate systems that don’t always work. As Chair of the Texas Veterans Land Board, I will expand outreach so every veteran knows about and can access earned benefits such as housing, loans, long-term care, and dignified burial while fighting for working families to have real representation in a statewide office.Strong public schools, protected land, and resilient communities are deeply connected. The Land Commissioner manages over 13 million acres of public land that fund public education through the Permanent School Fund. I will manage these lands responsibly to grow school funding without raising taxes, protect Texas beaches and coastal access for all Texans, and ensure disaster recovery is fast, fair, and transparent—especially for working families living along the coast. My focus is on protecting what belongs to Texans today and preserving it for future generations.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m deeply passionate about supporting veterans and standing with working people. As a Marine Corps combat veteran and union staff representative, I’ve seen how access to earned benefits, fair wages, and safe working conditions shape families’ lives. I’m also committed to strengthening public education, disaster preparedness, and responsible land management—because these policies directly affect workers, veterans, and future generations across Texas.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Official endorsement by: VoteVets and Congressman Ro Khanna

Campaign websiteLoya's campaign website stated the following:PlatformThe General Land Office should be working to serve all Texans, not just the wealthy few. I’m running to make sure that no veteran has to struggle to get the support they deserve, no teacher has to pay for supplies out of pocket, and no Texan is left behind when natural disaster strikes. I’m a veteran, a parent of children attending public schools, and a union representative who fighters for workers across the state.This is a campaign for all Texans, and I will fight for a better future for everyone.Fighting for Safer Working ConditionsThe Texas General Land Office manages 13 million acres of state-owned land. That means the Land Commissioner sets the rules corporations must follow when they operate on state land. As Land Commissioner, I will require stronger worker safety protections for any company operating on state lands than are required by state law. I will make sure that every lease has strict standards around drilling safety, equipment maintenance, waste handling, and emergency response–so that workers aren’t punished when companies cut corners.Build a Stronger Energy IndustryAfter I returned home from the Marine Corps, working at the Valero refinery gave me the opportunity to provide for my family. Now, the Panhandle winds fuel a new era of renewable energy. Texas leads the nation in oil and gas and renewable energy production. As Land Commissioner, I will ensure that our energy resources are leveraged to ensure the greatest return from oil, gas, and renewable energy companies. We can keep the energy industry strong while generating revenue to fund our public schools, aid in disaster recovery, and protect our coastlines.Protecting Texans When Disaster StrikesOur state faces deadly disasters too often, and under the current Land Commissioner, recovery funds have been mismanaged. As Land Commissioner, I will oversee disaster recovery using the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to make sure assistance reaches the people hit hardest first—working families, not just the wealthy and well-connected. I will also prioritize disaster mitigation through the Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program, strengthening communities and infrastructure to reduce the impact of future storms and floods. By improving transparency, speed, and fairness in both recovery and prevention, we can help Texans build stronger, safer, and more resilient communities.Strengthening Texas Public SchoolsI am a product of the public school system, my wife is a school district employee, and my children are attending public school. I am a proud supporter of Texas public schools.The Permanent School Fund, supported by the Land Commissioner’s office through management of state lands and mineral leases, is one of the most significant endowments for Texas public schools. By growing this fund responsibly, we can strengthen neighborhood schools, support critical resources like textbooks and technology, and help guarantee lower borrowing costs for school districts. I will prioritize using PSF earnings to benefit students and teachers directly—not diverting them away from everyday Texans—so every classroom can prepare our next generation for success.Honoring Our Commitment to VeteransAs a Marine Corps veteran who deployed twice to Iraq, I am committed to fighting for those who have served our country. Texas Veterans Land BoardI am committed to expanding the Texans Veterans Land Board. Applying for benefits and receiving assistance should never feel like a full-time task. We must give our heroes the respect they deserve and ensure they don’t miss out on critical benefits, including competitive land and home loans, access to assisted living centers, and end-of-life planning programs.I am committed to ensuring veterans receive the care and respect they deserve in state homes and resting sites. With a generation of veterans approaching retirement age, Texas’ state-run veterans homes are inadequate to meet the demand of this growing population.Expanding Homes and CemeteriesI will create a Veteran Home Expansion Task Force made up of the staff of the Texas Veterans Land Board and stakeholders from the veteran and military family community to identify opportunities to expand existing homes, establish new ones, and expand offerings to include assisted living centers. No more forgotten facilities. Veterans deserve dignity in life and in death, and workers in these facilities deserve to be heard and treated with respect.— Jose Loya's campaign website (January 16, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.