A Social Media Post About UT Students Draws Condemnation (From Some)

Down 20 points in the fourth quarter of their big showdown against Ohio State, the University of Texas launched a furious comeback that culminated in a 24-23 win. The crowd at Longhorns stadium was naturally rapturous to witness the miracle win.

But the next day, Republican Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French, no stranger to incendiary and racist social media posts, captioned a picture of South Asian UT students celebrating the win. “I heard UT graduation this year looked like this,” he wrote. “I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.”

The reactions to French came swiftly from some Texas Republicans, including Senator John Cornyn. On a social media account, Cornyn asked, “Are other Republican elected officials going to condemn the intolerance and racism, or look the other way while it becomes normalized.” Many other Republican Texas House members also condemned French’s remarks, including Jeff Leach and Lacey Hull.

A reaction from Governor Abbott was far more subdued. Abbott said he didn’t agree with the “message,” but also later touted his own restrictions on immigration. Attorney General Ken Paxton, running for the Senate, also did not outright condemn French’s remarks. In his statement, Paxton pivoted to attacking his opponent James Talarico.

French has served as Tarrant County GOP Chair and has a long history of making incendiary and racist claims. He has previously asked on his social media account whether Jews or Muslims were the bigger threat to the America. And he has also called for the deportation of 100 million in America.

Earlier this year, French narrowly defeated incumbent Jim Wright in the Republican primary for Railroad Commissioner. Contrary to its name, the Railroad Commission of Texas has nothing to do with trains (at least not anymore). Instead, this three-member state agency oversees the oil and gas industry.

French is facing Democratic State Rep. Jon Rosenthal in the November election for a spot on the agency. Rosenthal, a longtime mechanical engineer, announced his campaign experienced their highest fundraising day in the aftermath of French’s post. Rosenthal also blasted French for his comments.

“I spent 25 years as an engineer in the oil and gas industry,” said Rosenthal in a statement. “Bo French spent Sunday morning sorting the DKR student section by skin color.”