Democrat Jon Rosenthal won the race for Texas railroad commissioner after Republican Bo French conceded Tuesday night. Rosenthal first declared victory at about 10:20 p.m. The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday, with Rosenthal holding a modest lead.
Rosenthal is a state lawmaker from the Houston area. French is a Tarrant County Republican and conservative provocateur. Several high-profile Republicans turned on French after he posted social media messages about South Asian students at a University of Texas football game, which the story describes as racist. Karl Rove, a former adviser to President George W. Bush, was among those who criticized French.
Speaking to supporters, Rosenthal said, "The politics of hate no longer work." The story says the commission oversees the state's oil and gas industry and that Republicans had held it for decades. Other Democrats, including James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, also won statewide races, according to the story.