(The Center Square) – Controversial candidates continue to run for a position on the Railroad Commission of Texas, which regulates the oil and natural gas industry. In 2022, Sarah Stogner ran as a Republican in a crowded primary race, and lost, after riding a pump jack wearing only underwear and boots.
Now, former Tarrant County GOP Chair Bo French is running for the RCC in a May 26 runoff after ignoring multiple calls to resign during his short time in office. When he did resign, it was to run for the RRC in order to “stop the Islamic invasion, and defeat the left,” he said.
French’s most recent legislative priority was to ban all Muslim-majority countries from purchasing land in Texas, arguing “Islam poses an existential threat to Texans’ way of life.”
He’s running “to put Texans back in the driver’s seat of Texas energy policy. America has been at war with Islam since the time of our Independence, and stopping the subversive influence of Islam in Texas by banning all Muslim countries from acquiring land and interfering in Texas Oil and Gas will be my top legislative priority.”
When asked what Muslim countries have purchased Texas land or are interfering in Texas oil and gas production, he did not respond. When asked if he planned to ban Saudi Aramco, one of the largest oil and gas and plastics employers in Texas, he also did not respond.
Many Republicans have taken issue with French appearing to make derogatory comments related to race, religion, gender, sexual preference and mental status, including referring to people as “gay” or “retarded.”
In January, he referred to the America First position in part as removing “third world subtards,” which X said violated its rules against violent speech. He’s also referred to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as a “gay race communist.”
As Tarrant County GOP Chairman, in October 2024, he posted a poll about voters, which he later deleted after receiving public backlash.
He claimed he deleted the post because it was a “distraction” and explained his position.
Other posts refer to gay sex and people with down syndrome.
Last June, French posted a poll about which religious group was a greater threat to America: Jews or Muslims. He also deleted it after receiving public backlash and calls for his resignation.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was among several calling for his resignation. “Bo French’s words do not reflect my values nor the values of the Republican Party. Antisemitism and religious bigotry have no place in Texas. I am calling for the immediate resignation and replacement of Bo French as Tarrant County GOP Chairman,” he said.
French did not respond to requests for comment.
French has also been accused of being racist for appearing to use derogatory terms like “chimp out” in a since deleted post last October where he appeared to refer to individuals as monkeys who rely on public food assistance.
He also referred to Native American Indians as “third world savages,” in another since deleted post.
Tarrant County Republican precinct chairs have spoken out against his remarks and expressed concerns that the party was not focused on registering voters and getting people out to vote.
In 2023 and 2024, Tarrant County Precinct Chair Sheena Rodriguez sent letters to precinct chairs expressing concerns about French’s comments and associations. In 2024, she called for French to resign and issue an apology. “I stand alongside numerous precinct chairs in the Tarrant County Republican Party, disturbed by Chairman French’s consistent disparaging remarks about women, public berating of those in the gay community, and recent outright vile and dehumanizing language of those with special needs,” she wrote, including links and screenshots of posts. Some included posts claiming women can’t be trusted.
While many Republicans have spoken out against French’s remarks, others argue he has a free speech right and those criticizing him are creating division.
Under his leadership, a Democrat won a March special election for a previously safe Republican state Senate seat for which French blamed Republican voters.
French is challenging incumbent RCC Commissioner Jim Wright, who has been endorsed by multiple oil and gas industry executives and associations.
