Bo French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, once called for the executions of what he called "Obama conspirators," according to the Houston Chronicle. In a 2020 post on X, which CNN reported on, French said former President Barack Obama and his supporters were guilty of treason over claims about Russia's role in the 2016 election. The post has since been removed.
French has faced other criticism for his posts. Fellow Republicans criticized him this month for suggesting University of Texas football fans were foreigners based on their skin color. The Chronicle later reported that the students in the photo French shared are American citizens. Last year, his own party criticized him for questioning whether Jews or Muslims were a bigger threat to America.
Some Republicans have said they will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal instead. Karl Rove, a former George W. Bush adviser, said at the Texas Tribune Festival on Saturday that his party is being infiltrated by people like French. Rove said the Texas Department of Public Safety has increased security at his home because of "credible threats" made against him since he endorsed Rosenthal.
Most statewide Republicans have condemned French's comments but have not said how they will vote. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said he will not vote for French but did not say he would vote for Rosenthal. "I may just leave it blank," Cornyn said.