Former George W. Bush adviser and longtime Texas Republican strategist Karl Rove reportedly said Monday that he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal in the Texas Railroad Commission race, his first Democratic vote since 1994.
According to The Texas Tribune, Rove made the remarks during a members-only luncheon at Austin’s Headliners Club. Three attendees told the outlet that Rove called Republican candidate Bo French a “bigot.”
Rosenthal, a Houston Democrat and career oil-field engineer, is running against French for a seat on the three-member Railroad Commission, which regulates Texas’ oil and gas industry.
Rove reportedly said he had voted for only one Democrat candidate in the past: former Texas Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock in 1994.
.@carlosnogueras_ scoops: Karl Rove said at a private luncheon today that, after Bo French’s post yesterday, he’d be voting for Democrat for the first time in more than 30 years.
He’ll back @Jon_RosenthalTX over “bigot” @bofrench, he told crowd. https://t.co/gkcfIirpcF
— Matthew Watkins (@MWatkinsTrib) September 14, 2026
The comments followed a post French published on X after the University of Texas defeated Ohio State.
On Sunday, French posted a photo of Texas Longhorns fans celebrating Saturday night’s dramatic win over Ohio State. The students in the image were predominantly of South Asian descent. French wrote:
“I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined.”
He followed up by saying social media was exposing “how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners” and that he weeps for Texas families who cannot get into UT because the school “prioritize[s] foreigners over Texans.”
I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined. pic.twitter.com/Ys1bql0y4U
— Bo French (@bofrench) September 13, 2026
The Gateway Pundit reported on the post earlier Monday in the context of Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico trying to use it to smear Attorney General Ken Paxton. Talarico’s cheap shot backfired when Paxton reminded voters of Talarico’s own record.
Thank you @JohnCornyn for your leadership.
Racism has no place in Texas.@KenPaxtonTX: will you condemn this blatant racism or will you cower to extremists? https://t.co/MWHEvrPdPV
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) September 13, 2026
Paxton fired back with an absolutely perfect response. He made it clear that not only did he deplore racism, but he also turned the tables on Talarico by pointing out his multiple anti-white statements over the past several years.
“I condemn racism in all its forms, including James Talarico saying white men are America’s top terror threat and that he prays to overcome his own ‘whiteness,’ whatever that means,” Paxton wrote. “Only one person in this race has a history of dividing Texans by race, and it’s James Talarico.”
“I will continue to focus on uniting our State and bringing together the broadest possible coalition to fight for Texas, our values, and our families,” he added.
I condemn racism in all its forms, including James Talarico saying white men are America’s top terror threat and that he prays to overcome his own ‘whiteness,’ whatever that means. Only one person in this race has a history of dividing Texans by race, and it’s James Talarico. I… https://t.co/24Tlp3Rd5U
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) September 13, 2026
French has not apologized. On Monday he doubled down, accused his Republican critics of being “less conservative,” and began fundraising off the controversy. He has framed the issue as one of H-1B visas, foreign-student preference, and whether Texas institutions put Americans first.
‼️BREAKING: The radical left and their allies are attacking me. Join the thousands of patriots who are supporting our campaign here: https://t.co/s5J8YyiJ25
— Bo French (@bofrench) September 14, 2026
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