Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner Bo French shared a viral photo on September 13, 2026, showing a University of Texas (UT) football crowd composed largely of what appeared to be South Asian students. French’s post on X (formerly Twitter) stated: “I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.” The comment reignited national debates over immigration, university admissions policies, and demographic shifts in Texas.
French’s post, which framed the image as evidence of foreign-born students displacing Texans, drew immediate bipartisan criticism from state and national Republicans, as well as Democrats. The controversy unfolded amid broader GOP concerns over slipping support among voters of color in Texas, a state where Republicans have long dominated.
Immediate Reactions and Condemnations
Within hours, French faced backlash from fellow Republicans, including Texas State Rep. Lacey Hull, who urged him to delete the post. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows stated, “You can oppose immigration policy without demeaning people because of their race or ethnicity — this post has crossed the line. Delete it.” Other GOP lawmakers, including State Rep. Jared Patterson and former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, condemned the post as racist. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) also criticized it, asking whether other GOP officials would “condemn the intolerance and racism, or look the other way while it becomes normalized.”
UT Austin Responds with Enrollment Data
UT Austin officials countered French’s claims by releasing enrollment figures showing that international students account for less than 10% of the total student body (5,140 out of 55,000 students for fall 2025). Texas residents make up 80.5% of all enrolled students, and a state law requires 90% of every incoming freshman class to be Texas residents. The university’s automatic admissions policy guarantees spots to the top 5% of Texas high school graduates, regardless of race or ethnicity.
GOP Operatives Warn of Electoral Fallout
Republican strategists expressed concern that French’s rhetoric could harm GOP candidates in tight races. Matt Mackowiak, an Austin-based GOP consultant, stated, “His post on social media is profoundly unhelpful if his goal is to see Republicans win statewide races in a tough political environment in 50 days.” Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), facing reelection in a Hispanic-majority district, condemned racism but framed the photo as “a group of kids celebrating a Longhorns win.”
Broader Context: Immigration and Political Rhetoric
The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Texas GOP over immigration policy and demographic change. Some conservatives argue that rapid population shifts are diluting traditional Texan identity, while critics of French’s post contend it unfairly targets students based on appearance. The debate reflects wider national discussions about immigration, affirmative action, and the role of universities in shaping state demographics.
What’s Next
French has not withdrawn from the race, and the controversy has intensified scrutiny on his campaign. Political observers are monitoring whether the backlash will influence voter sentiment ahead of the November elections, particularly in races where Republicans are defending narrow margins.