Bo French wins GOP runoff for Texas Railroad Commissioner after campaign targeting radical Islam, DEI

Bo French has won the Republican primary runoff for the Texas Railroad Commission on Tuesday after running a campaign focused heavily on right-wing cultural issues, including opposition to DEI initiatives and radical Islam.

The race, which typically receives little attention, became one of the closest contests of Tuesday night in Texas. French defeated incumbent Commissioner Jim Wright, who had been backed by Governor Greg Abbott, as well as the lieutenant governor and Texas House speaker. French will now face Democratic state Representative Jon Rosenthal in November. Republicans are heavily favored to retain the seat, as Democrats have not held a position on the commission in decades.

Despite its name, the three-member commission does not oversee railroads. Instead, it regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry, with the state producing roughly half of all oil in the country, according to the Texas Tribune.

French drew national attention earlier this year for his outspoken positions on immigration, DEI, and other conservative issues. During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference held in Texas in March, he called for the deportation of 100 million people.

During the campaign, French accused the Railroad Commission under Chairman Wright of allowing Chinese and Islamic influence in the Texas oil field. He accused Wright of allowing “Sharia Law” and called him “Jihadi Jim.” He also blasted divestment initiatives.

French previously served as chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party. He resigned last year following backlash over a post on X in which he asked whether Jews or Muslims were a bigger threat to the US.

In a post on social media, French wrote after his victory, “I am deeply grateful for the support of TX Republicans across our state.  Our campaign focused on defending oil and gas, and putting America First—and that’s exactly what I will continue fighting for as we turn our attention to radical Democrat Jon Rosenthal.”