Bo French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, is facing widespread criticism after posting a racially charged message about University of Texas students celebrating a football victory.
Controversial Post Sparks Outrage
The controversy began after the Texas Longhorns defeated Ohio State in a dramatic comeback. French shared a photo showing students of South Asian descent celebrating in the stands and suggested that the image demonstrated how Texas institutions had been “overrun” by foreigners.
He later described the situation as a growing “problem,” prompting accusations that he was targeting students based on their race and appearance.
The comments quickly spread across social media and triggered criticism from politicians within French’s own Republican Party.
John Cornyn Condemns the Remarks
US Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, strongly criticized French’s post and called on other members of the party to reject what he described as intolerance and racism.
Cornyn warned that allowing such rhetoric to become normalized could damage the Republican Party and its future in Texas.
Several other Republican officials also urged French to remove the post.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows said political disagreements over immigration should not be used as a reason to demean people because of their race or ethnicity. Republican lawmakers Lacey Hull and Jeff Leach also criticized the message and called for it to be deleted.
French Doubles Down
Rather than withdrawing the comments, French defended his position and attacked critics inside the Republican Party.
He argued that Texas institutions were giving preference to foreigners and blamed what he called “RINOs,” or Republicans in Name Only, for policies he believes have disadvantaged American citizens.
His response has further intensified the dispute and highlighted divisions within the Texas Republican Party over immigration and political rhetoric.
Pressure Builds Within the GOP
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time for Texas Republicans, with the November election approaching.
French is the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, a powerful state agency responsible for regulating the state’s oil and gas industry. His comments have therefore raised questions about whether the controversy could affect the party’s campaign and his own candidacy.
Some Republican lawmakers have sought to distance themselves from French’s remarks, while others have declined to directly criticize him.
Paxton Drawn Into the Dispute
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has also faced pressure to respond.
Paxton said he condemns racism but redirected his criticism toward Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, accusing him of making divisive comments about race.
The exchange has added another layer to an already heated political battle inside the state’s Republican Party.
French Has Faced Previous Controversy
The latest incident is not the first time French has attracted criticism for controversial statements.
He has previously made inflammatory comments about immigration, Islam and other political issues. Those remarks have contributed to concerns among some Republicans about his suitability for statewide office.
The latest backlash has brought those earlier controversies back into focus as opponents and fellow Republicans debate whether the party should continue supporting his candidacy.
Political Divisions Intensify
The dispute illustrates a broader conflict within the Republican Party over immigration, national identity and how candidates should address demographic changes in Texas.
Supporters of French argue that concerns about immigration and foreign influence should remain part of the political debate. Critics say those issues can be discussed without targeting people because of their ethnicity or appearance.
The disagreement has become particularly visible because the original image showed university students celebrating a major sporting victory rather than participating in a political event.
What Happens Next
French’s comments are likely to remain a political issue as Texas moves toward the November election.
Republican leaders now face pressure to decide how strongly they want to distance themselves from his remarks, while Democratic candidates are expected to use the controversy to challenge the GOP’s approach to immigration and race.
For French, the incident could become a significant test of whether his hard-line political message strengthens his campaign or alienates voters who believe political differences should not be framed around race or ethnicity.
The controversy also highlights the growing political significance of Texas’ changing demographics and the increasingly intense debate over immigration within one of America’s most influential Republican states.
