Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Thursday he will not cast his ballot for Bo French, the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, after French posted a racially charged comment on social media. Cornyn called French "an embarrassment to the Republican Party" and warned that his remarks could drag down the GOP ticket in November.
French, who is running for the powerful post that regulates the state's oil and gas industry, shared a photo of a diverse group of University of Texas football fans, including several people of South Asian descent, and wrote: "The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." The post drew immediate backlash from Democrats and Republicans alike.
"He's going to drag the whole ticket down because of his racist comments," Cornyn told reporters. However, the senior senator stopped short of endorsing French's Democratic opponent, state Rep. Jon Rosenthal of Houston. "I may just leave it blank," Cornyn said of his ballot.
Cornyn's decision follows a similar move by Karl Rove, the former top strategist for President George W. Bush, who wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that he would vote for Rosenthal. Rove said he had only voted for a Democrat once before—Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock in 1994—but that French's candidacy warranted an exception. "The GOP's stables need a cleaning. This is a good place to start," Rove wrote.
Other Texas Republicans have also distanced themselves from French. State Rep. Lacey Hull (R) urged him to delete the post, writing on X: "This post breaks my heart. I see college kids cheering on their football team. I see Texans."
The controversy has put a spotlight on the Texas Railroad Commission, a three-member body with outsized influence over the energy sector. The commission oversees oil and gas drilling, pipeline safety, and other industry regulations, making it a key target for both parties.
French's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Texas GOP has faced internal divisions over the nominee's remarks, with some leaders calling for his withdrawal. The episode also echoes broader tensions within the party, as Republican infighting threatens to hurt midterm prospects.
Cornyn's refusal to support French is notable given his seniority and influence in Texas politics. He has previously been involved in other contentious races, such as the Senate primary involving Attorney General Ken Paxton, where he has been more circumspect.
The race for railroad commissioner has attracted national attention, with Democrats hoping to flip the seat in a state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in decades. Rosenthal, a former Navy pilot and energy consultant, has campaigned on transparency and regulatory reform.
French's comments have also sparked criticism from University of Texas students, who hit back at the nominee's post, defending their classmates and calling for an apology. The incident has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over race and immigration in Texas politics.
As the November election approaches, French's candidacy remains a liability for Republicans, who are already navigating a challenging political environment. With Cornyn and Rove publicly distancing themselves, it remains to be seen whether other GOP leaders will follow suit.
