A sharp divide has emerged within the Texas Republican Party following racially charged social media comments made by Bo French, the GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner. French ignited widespread condemnation after reacting to an image of University of Texas students celebrating a football victory by alleging that native Texans and Americans are being displaced by foreigners on college campuses. The fallout from his statement has pitted prominent party leaders, commentators, and strategists against hardline defenders and grassroots figures.
The controversy began when French posted commentary regarding a photograph of Longhorns fans celebrating a landmark home win. In his post, the nominee declared that the state's student population and broader public were being supplanted by foreign populations. French, a Fort Worth native who previously led the Tarrant County Republican Party from 2023 through 2025, secured the GOP nomination for the Railroad Commission seat in May after defeating incumbent Jim Wright.
The reaction among high-ranking Republicans highlighted growing ideological and rhetorical fractures within the state party. While several influential members swiftly distanced themselves from the nominee and called out the post as overtly racist, other party figures offered full-throated support or redirected their criticism toward moderate Republicans and political opponents.
Outgoing United States Senator John Cornyn delivered one of the sternest rebukes, urging fellow Republicans not to overlook or normalize rhetoric rooted in intolerance. Cornyn pointed out that French chose not to delete the post or apologize for the remarks, but instead used the ensuing attention to raise campaign funds. The senator cautioned that failing to condemn such rhetoric against fellow Texans risks turning the Republican Party into a permanent minority.
Leadership within the Texas House of Representatives also voiced immediate disapproval. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows publicly called on French to delete the message, emphasizing that there is a clear distinction between debating immigration policy and using derogatory language targeting individuals based on race or ethnicity. Burrows stated that French’s post had crossed an unacceptable line.
Other state lawmakers were equally direct in their assessments. Republican State Representative Jared Patterson firmly rejected French's comments, stating without hesitation that the remarks were wrong and racist. Fellow Republican State Representative Drew Darby echoed that sentiment, describing the nominee's rhetoric as unmistakable racism.
The controversy also prompted significant defections ahead of the November election. Veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove took the notable step of breaking party ranks, announcing that he intends to support Democratic nominee Jon Rosenthal in the general election contest for the Railroad Commission instead of backing French.
Prominent national conservative commentator Ben Shapiro also weighed in against French during an 11-minute video published on his social media platforms. Shapiro questioned the rationale behind targeting college football fans of Indian ethnicity, pointing out that the students were openly supporting a Texas institution by displaying the traditional "Hook 'Em Horns" hand sign. Shapiro argued that enthusiasm for local sports teams should be welcomed rather than scrutinized through an ethnic lens.
Despite the heavy criticism, French maintained support from several vocal figures on the party's right flank. Brandon Hall, a member of the Texas State Board of Education, publicly defended the nominee by declaring his solidarity with French and framing the controversy as an effort to defend traditional Texan cultural norms.
State Representative Andy Hopper aligned with French's camp by turning the controversy into an attack on established party figures. Hopper dismissed Senator Cornyn's rebuke, publicly disparaging the outgoing senator as a detached globalist.
Local party organizations also came to French's defense, with Fort Worth Young Republicans President Jake Lloyd Colglazier endorsing the nominee’s remarks. Colglazier asserted that French’s original message was entirely reasonable, arguing that the negative reaction from opposing politicians stemmed from the changing demographics within their legislative districts and the impact of mass immigration on the political system.
Outside the legislature, right-wing media figures echoed French's sentiment regarding domestic enrollment. Monty Bennett, the publisher of the Dallas Express, backed French on social media by asserting that universities across the United States are placing domestic applicants on waitlists while admitting upwards of one million international students into higher education institutions.
Meanwhile, other top statewide leaders adopted a more reserved approach, choosing not to explicitly criticize the railroad commissioner candidate. Governor Greg Abbott sidestepped direct condemnation of French, remarking instead that celebrations following major athletic victories demonstrate how sports can unite Texans under the broader state identity.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton similarly avoided naming French in his public response. While Paxton issued a general condemnation of racism across all categories, he quickly redirected his focus toward Democratic Representative James Talarico, accusing Talarico of racial division regarding past statements about race and white identity while pledging to focus on uniting the state.
Throughout the unfolding public dispute, the Texas Republican Party as an organization remained silent, having issued no official condemnation or disciplinary statement regarding French's commentary as of Tuesday.
The escalating dispute leaves the Texas GOP navigating internal friction as the general election approaches. With French refusing to walk back his comments and facing Democratic challenger Jon Rosenthal in November, the party remains visibly split over the tone, boundaries, and demographic messaging of its candidates.
(0)