Democrat wins Texas railroad commissioner race after Republican faced backlash over racist comments

Rosenthal wins statewide race

Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal won the race for Texas railroad commissioner, NBC News projected. He defeated Republican Bo French, whose remarks drew widespread backlash within his party and beyond.

The Texas Railroad Commission has three members and regulates oil and gas production in the state. Commissioners serve six-year terms.

Rosenthal’s campaign priorities

Rosenthal, a mechanical engineer, campaigned on lowering energy costs for Texans. His proposals also included guardrails for data centers, weatherization requirements for gas production and a ban on industry donations to commissioners.

French’s comments drew criticism

French, a former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, had a record of discriminatory remarks. During the campaign, he reposted a photo hours after first sharing it and described it as showing that “Americans have been displaced by foreigners,” according to the article.

At the Conservative Political Action Conference, French said Republicans should embrace Islamophobia and called for deporting 100 million people. When he announced his run, he said he was fighting back against Islam.

Republicans backed Rosenthal

Sen. John Cornyn said he would not vote for French. Karl Rove, a longtime Republican consultant and former adviser to President George W. Bush, said he would vote for Rosenthal instead. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, also a Republican, endorsed Rosenthal before the election.