{"id":435433,"date":"2026-09-14T09:30:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T09:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/435433\/"},"modified":"2026-09-14T09:30:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T09:30:10","slug":"bo-frenchs-chances-in-texas-plunge-after-ut-photo-sparks-gop-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/435433\/","title":{"rendered":"Bo French’s chances in Texas plunge after UT photo sparks GOP backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas<\/a> Railroad Commission candidate Bo French’s electoral chances plunged on one of the biggest betting markets in the U.S. after a social media post he shared was condemned as racist and sparked fury with Republican lawmakers.<\/p>\n

French, a Republican nominee who describes himself as a “MAGA conservative” on his campaign website, had shared a photo on his X account showing students of Asian descent celebrating the University of Texas’ football win over Ohio State on Saturday.<\/p>\n

In an accompanying caption, he 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.”<\/p>\n

The post, which has been viewed 27 million times, has been widely criticized by Republican lawmakers. Senator John Cornyn wrote on X: “Are other Republican elected officials going to condemn the intolerance and racism<\/a>, or look the other way while it becomes normalized.”<\/p>\n

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement given to Politico: “That is not my message. A selective picture of Longhorn fans celebrating our biggest home victory-ever-actually shows a way that Texans unite. We all support our college football teams.”<\/p>\n

As of early Monday, French’s election chances on the prediction market Kalshi had dropped by 10 percent, down from 72 percent on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n

Newsweek has contacted the French campaign, the University of Texas and the White House outside of regular working hours for comment via email.<\/p>\n

This is a developing story. More to follow.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French, in a still taken from a campaign video shared to X.<\/p>\n

Related Articles<\/p>\n

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