Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Sunday publicly criticized fellow Texas Republican Bo French, the GOP nominee for state railroad commissioner, for a social media post that appeared to target non-white University of Texas students celebrating their football team’s victory over Ohio State.
French, who defeated incumbent Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright in May’s Republican primary, shared a photo on X early Sunday showing students of South Asian descent in the crowd at the Longhorns’ Sept. 12 game. He wrote: “I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.”
Cornyn responded on X, stating: “This is the Republican nominee for statewide office. Are other Republican elected officials going to condemn the intolerance and racism, or look the other way while it becomes normalized. This is how great political parties self-destruct. Sad.”
French, who previously served as Tarrant County GOP chair, doubled down in follow-up posts. He wrote: “I cheered the team for the win. But I weep for the families in Texas who can’t get into UT because they prioritize foreigners over Texans.” He later added: “Like body-cams exposed criminals, social media is exposing how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners. It’s everywhere and far worse than any of us could imagine.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who had endorsed Wright in the primary, declined to directly condemn French’s post. In a statement Sunday, Abbott said French’s message was not his own and that the photo he shared was “selective” and showed “a way that Texans unite.”
Abbott added: “The way we win the state is the same way we win football games. We unite under the brand of Texas. That doesn’t mean that Texas cannot also lead in having the toughest immigration laws of any state in America and freezing H-1B visas at our universities.”
University of Texas at Austin officials confirmed in a release that more than 80% of students in the 2025-26 school year were Texas residents, with international students comprising less than 10% of enrollment.
Republican Responses
Several GOP figures swiftly condemned French’s post. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan wrote on X: “You can oppose immigration policy without demeaning people because of their race or ethnicity — this post has crossed the line. Delete it.”
State Rep. Jared Patterson of Austin stated: “It is racist. It is wrong. And I condemn it without reservation.”
Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, also criticized the post, while Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal, French’s opponent in the railroad commissioner race, mocked French’s remarks, saying he “couldn’t tell a Longhorn from a foreigner.”
French’s Background and Prior Controversies
French has a history of inflammatory rhetoric. In March, he called for the deportation of 100 million Americans and described Islam as a threat to Texas, stating he aimed to “stop the Islamic invasion of Texas” and “end DEI’s stranglehold on Texas oil.” Those remarks previously drew condemnation from some Texas Republicans.
Abbott had warned in May that if elected, French would “wreck” the state’s oil and gas industry, a key economic sector.
Cornyn’s Criticism and Political Context
Cornyn, who lost his May 26 primary to Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton, has increasingly criticized elements of his own party in his final weeks in the Senate. His public rebuke of French reflects growing intraparty tensions over rhetoric and messaging ahead of the November general election.
Neither Cornyn’s nor French’s offices responded to requests for comment by publication time.
Election Implications
French’s candidacy for the Railroad Commission, which regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry, has drawn national attention due to his controversial statements and primary victory over an Abbott-endorsed incumbent. The race remains a focal point in state politics, with Democrats and Republicans closely monitoring its outcome.