Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Karl Rove Backs Democrat as Bo French Faces Racism Backlash
Karl Rove is a well-known Republican who used to advise George W. Bush.
He said he plans to vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal.
Rosenthal and Bo French are running for a position on the Texas Railroad Commission.
The commission regulates oil and gas production in Texas.
French was criticized after calling South Asian students at the University of Texas “foreigners.”
Many Democrats and Republicans said French should remove the post.
Rove reportedly called French a “bigot” and praised one of his South Asian students.
French continued defending his comments and criticized Republicans who opposed him.
The disagreement has made cultural issues a major part of the election.
Former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove said he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal in the Texas Railroad Commission race.
Rove reportedly called Republican candidate Bo French a “bigot” during a private lunch in Austin.
French faced criticism after describing South Asian students celebrating a Texas Longhorn victory as “foreigners.”
French defended his comments and said Republicans criticizing him were “less conservative.”
The dispute has intensified a closely contested race for an agency that regulates oil and gas production.
- Who
- Republican strategist Karl Rove, Republican candidate Bo French, and Democratic candidate Jon Rosenthal are central figures.
- What
- Rove said he will vote for Rosenthal after French faced backlash over remarks about South Asian students.
- When
- Rove made the comments at a members-only lunch; French’s remarks and the ensuing criticism occurred during the Railroad Commission campaign.
- Where
- The race is in Texas, and Rove spoke at the Headliners Club in Austin.
- Why
- Rove opposed French’s remarks, while French has made cultural issues central to his campaign.
Critics of French
French and His Defenders
Remarks about students
Critics of French
Critics, including Democrats and Republicans, said French’s reference to South Asian students as “foreigners” was racist and urged him to delete the post.
French and His Defenders
French defended the remarks, doubled down on them, and said Republicans who criticized him were “less conservative.”
Campaign priorities
Critics of French
Critics argue French is emphasizing inflammatory cultural issues that are outside the Railroad Commission’s responsibilities.
French and His Defenders
French has made issues involving LGBTQ+ people and federal immigration policy central to his campaign, presenting them as part of his conservative platform.
Republican support
Critics of French
Karl Rove and some Texas Republicans have criticized French, with Rove saying he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal.
French and His Defenders
French remains the Republican nominee after defeating Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in the primary runoff.
- Race
- Texas Railroad Commission seat
- Democratic candidate
- Jon Rosenthal
- Republican candidate
- Bo French
- Rove’s reported description
- He reportedly called French a “bigot”
- Controversial wording
- French referred to South Asian students as “foreigners”
- Agency responsibilities
- Regulates oil and gas production
- Rove’s previous Democratic vote
- He said he had voted for only one Democratic candidate, Texas Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, in 1994