Bo French's Execution Posts Put Texas Republicans to the Test
Bo French, the Republican nominee to lead Texas' railroad commission, repeatedly called for public executions of political opponents in social media posts identified by CNN's KFile investigators. The findings were published on September 28, 2026. CNN
That commission mainly regulates oil and gas in Texas, not railroads. French is running to lead it as the Republican nominee for statewide office.
In May 2020, French used the now-suspended X account "rwbofrench" to call for the death penalty by hanging for Obama-era officials he linked to the "Russia hoax," his term for investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election. In another post that month about former President Barack Obama, he wrote, "the penalty for treason used to be death. Even for a former president," according to the investigation. The Guardian
The posts continued beyond 2020. In February 2025, French used his X account under a former handle to call for public executions including Senator Adam Schiff. CNN quoted that language in its September 28 article titled "'I want public executions': Texas GOP candidate's extreme ..."
Other posts flagged in the reporting targeted religious groups and women. French posted that the entire religion of Islam should be banned. He posted a poll asking whether "Jews" or "Muslims" posed a bigger threat. He called childless women "selfish" and blamed them for the "demise of our culture".
French faced criticism from members of his own party after making a racist post on social media. The criticism was bipartisan. As the Republican nominee for a Texas statewide office, his post drew rebukes across party lines.
Texas Senator John Cornyn said he would not support or vote for French for railroad commissioner following that racist post. Good Morning America
The KFile report followed earlier coverage of French's social media history. On September 14, 2026, CNN published an article titled "Bo French puts Republicans' recent history of bigoted ..." That coverage also centered on racist posts.
Looking at what this means for Texas Republicans, the sequence tests party discipline. A statewide nominee with this record of calls for executions and bigoted statements forces choices. Cornyn's break is narrow. It withdraws one senator's vote. It does not remove a nominee.
The broader context here is enforcement. Party leaders have few formal tools against a nominated candidate who refuses to step aside. Public disavowals can limit damage to others on the ballot. They can also deepen internal divisions if the candidate keeps a base of support.
