“He's an embarrassment to the Republican Party, and he's going to drag the whole ticket down because of his racist comments. … I may just leave it blank.
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The Republican Nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner Posts a Photo of Asian American Students Cheering at a Longhorns Game and Writes "The Problem Is Now Obviously Far Worse Than Anyone Imagined" — John Cornyn Asks Whether Republicans Will "Look the Other Way," the Texas House Speaker Says It "Crossed the Line," and Greg Abbott Says Only "That Is Not My Message"
September 13, 2026
On Sunday, September 13, 2026, Bo French — the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner and a former Tarrant County GOP chair — posted a photo of seemingly Asian American students celebrating in the stands at Texas's comeback win over Ohio State the night before, writing: "I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn't believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." He added that the scene showed "how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners." Sen. John Cornyn called it racism and challenged other Republican officials to condemn it; French answered that Cornyn and "the other America Last losers are mad that Texas Republicans are starting to put America First." Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, former Speaker Dade Phelan and state Reps. Jared Patterson and Drew Darby — who chairs the committee that oversees the Railroad Commission and warned that the Legislature's trust in the agency "can be revisited" — also condemned the post, while state Rep. Andy Hopper attacked Cornyn instead. Gov. Greg Abbott distanced himself without naming French. James Talarico, the Democratic Senate nominee, challenged his opponent Ken Paxton to "condemn this blatant racism," and Paxton answered that he condemns "racism in all its forms" before turning the charge on Talarico. French faces Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal on November 3.
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“I condemn racism in all its forms, including James Talarico saying white men are America's top terror threat and that he prays to overcome his own 'whiteness,' whatever that means.
“This is the Republican nominee for statewide office. Are other Republican elected officials going to condemn the intolerance and racism, or look the other way while it becomes normalized? This is how great political parties self-destruct. Sad.
“I have never seen conduct so unbecoming of a Railroad Commissioner or candidate in that time. … If not, I would remind any candidate that the Texas Legislature has granted the Railroad Commission broad discretion in carrying out its duties — because we have trusted the competence and fairness of those who serve. That trust can be revisited. … If Mr. French wants to regulate immigration policy, he should have run for Congress.
“It's truly unfortunate that so many elected 'leaders' will just silently let this pass.
“[Texans deserve Railroad Commissioners focused on the responsibilities of that office, not] using a statewide campaign as a platform for racial division.
“That is not my message. A selective picture of Longhorn fans celebrating our biggest home victory ever actually shows a way that Texans unite. … The way we win the state is the same way we win football games. We unite under the brand of Texas.
“You can oppose immigration policy without demeaning people because of their race or ethnicity — this post has crossed the line.
“Will you condemn this blatant racism or will you cower to extremists? … Racism has no place in Texas.