Texas GOP Nominee Defends Controversial Remarks Amid Criticism

Bo French, the Republican candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, has ignited controversy after standing firm on a xenophobic remark targeting Asian American students at the University of Texas. Following significant backlash from both Democrats and members of his own party, French took to social media and conservative radio to reiterate his stance.

In a post that has since gone viral, French shared a photo depicting a crowd of UT students during graduation, commenting on the perceived demographic changes at the university. His statement, which suggested that the situation was 'far worse than anyone imagined,' drew sharp criticism from prominent figures, including outgoing Senator John Cornyn, who urged fellow Republicans to denounce such intolerance.

Fundraising Amid Backlash

Despite the backlash, French has turned the criticism into a fundraising opportunity, framing it as an assault from the 'radical left' and their supporters. On Monday's episode of 'The Mark Davis Show,' he expressed his belief that discussions about race make some in his party uncomfortable and reiterated his controversial views on university admissions.

Defense of His Position

French maintains that his comments were aimed at addressing admissions policies at UT, which he claims unfairly favor non-Texans over local residents. He asserted, "It’s not racist to point out that we should be favoring Texans over foreigners," although there is no evidence that the students he referenced are not from Texas, as the university primarily serves in-state students.

Additionally, he criticized Cornyn and others for their public condemnation, suggesting they belong to an establishment faction that opposed him during the GOP primary. French's history of controversial remarks includes past statements about Islam and mass deportations, raising questions about his suitability for the influential role he seeks.

Source: www.politico.com