Rosenthal, a Houston Democrat and former state representative who worked as an oil-field mechanical engineer, is challenging French for the statewide position. French, meanwhile, has presented himself as a hardline conservative and MAGA Republican, while running a campaign heavily focused on immigration, energy policy and cultural issues.
The controversy exploded after the University of Texas defeated Ohio State in a dramatic football game.
On Sunday, French posted a photograph showing University of Texas fans celebrating the victory. The students visible in the image appeared predominantly South Asian. French then used the image to make a broader argument about immigration, college admissions and whether Texas residents are being displaced at their own universities.
“I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.”
French continued by arguing that social media was revealing “how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners.” He also said he was concerned that Texas families could not get into the University of Texas because the school “prioritize[s] foreigners over Texans.”
The comments quickly triggered a political firestorm.
Critics argued that the appearance of students in a photograph could not establish whether they were foreign nationals, international students, American citizens or Texas residents. Reuters reported that University of Texas data show international students account for 4.3% of undergraduates, while 80.5% of students are Texas residents. State law also requires at least 90% of each freshman class to be Texas residents.
The backlash did not remain confined to Democrats. Several Texas Republicans publicly criticized French’s remarks, adding pressure on the GOP candidate as the November election approaches.
French, however, has refused to retreat.
Instead of apologizing, he doubled down on his argument and portrayed his Republican critics as insufficiently conservative. He subsequently used the controversy as part of his fundraising effort, framing the dispute around H-1B visas, foreign students, immigration and the broader question of whether Texas institutions should prioritize Americans.
The controversy has also spilled into the closely watched Texas Senate contest between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic candidate James Talarico.
Talarico attempted to use French’s remarks as ammunition against Paxton, but Paxton responded by shifting the focus to statements previously attributed to Talarico.
“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. Only one person in this race has a history of dividing Texans by race, and it’s James Talarico.”
“I will continue to focus on uniting our State and bringing together the broadest possible coalition to fight for Texas, our values, and our families,” he added.
Paxton’s response underscored the increasingly complicated political dynamics surrounding French. Rather than allowing Democrats to define the controversy solely around the Republican candidate, Paxton attempted to redirect attention toward his Democratic opponent’s own past statements.
For Rove, however, French’s comments were apparently enough to trigger a rare break with the Republican Party.
The Railroad Commission contest has now become much larger than a routine statewide race over energy regulation. It has turned into a battle over immigration, higher education, race, political identity and the direction of the Texas Republican Party.
French retains prominent Republican endorsements, including backing from Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, while Rosenthal has secured support from Democratic and environmental groups.
With the November election approaching, Rove’s decision adds another extraordinary chapter to the fight. A Republican strategist who spent decades operating inside the GOP establishment is now publicly breaking with his party’s nominee and preparing to cast a ballot for the Democratic challenger.
Whether that dramatic split changes the Railroad Commission race remains to be determined. But one thing is already clear: the controversy surrounding Bo French has transformed what might otherwise have been a relatively obscure statewide regulatory contest into one of the most closely watched political fights in Texas.
