Our blog doesn’t often opine on politics; it can be bad for business. But the voters’ options for Railroad Commission compel a comment. I’m voting for the Democrat Joe Rosenthal. These opinions are mine alone. I don’t know what my law partners, clients and friends think about this race, Bo French, or Republicans and Democrats generally.
Bo French claims he is not a politician. He’s just, he protests, a rancher and oil and gas investor steeped in the honorable, Christian and manly pursuits of a real Texan, the kind they don’t make enough of anymore. If he really is a politician, which is what you are when you are a candidate for a powerful statewide office, he is the wrong kind of politician. He abused his platform as chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party to widely broadcast his xenophobia. This post by my friendly competitor John McFarland provides details.
DO NOT VOTE FOR BO FRENCH! — Oil and Gas Lawyer Blog — August 31, 2026
Mr. French’s campaign promised during the primary:
- Stop “an Islamic invasion of Texas” from stealing oil and gas resources. (Huh?)
- End Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, funding and practices at the Texas Railroad Commission. (Our solidly Republican RRC leadership leans woke left? Who knew?)
- Establish a “pro-family credentialing program” for oil and gas operators. (Take-your-kid-to-work-day … on the rig … steel-toed boots, drug tests and hard hat required).
At an industry event this past summer he was questioned about his paranoid worldview and asked whether his attitudes were the look that reflects well on Texas and its public officials. His response: He was merely “repeating what Texans think”. His comments, he said, were “taken out of context by a far-left reporter” (from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram?)
Do you want a shameless bigot and political opportunist as your commissioner? I’d rather have Mr. Rosenthal the Democrat; could be too liberal for the average Texan but at least he’s honest and knows the business. Mr. Rosenthal promises he isn’t a California, New York or Colorado Democrat. Maybe. We might get to see.
There’s more!
This week, as reported by the Texas Tribune, Cornyn calls out Bo French over racist social media post Mr. French proposed to deport 100 million people and denigrated minority University of Texas students.
Heaping more shame on the Republican voting base, when asked for a comment the morally and ethically challenged Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate elected not to criticize French’s latest bigotry.
If it weren’t so important it could be written off as fremdschämen.
Your musical interlude.
Quiz: Can you identify the recent historical figure in the photo? Look for the answer in the next post.