AUSTIN, Texas — September 16, 2026
Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP, issued the following statement in response to Texas Railroad Commission candidate Bo French’s comments about a photo of University of Texas Longhorn football fans of Asian ancestry, whom he referred to as “foreigners” and “what is wrong with this country.”
Mr. French’s remarks are unacceptable and dangerous. They traffic in racial bias and “otherism,” targeting Texans—including UT students—based on perceived race, ethnicity, or national origin. Asian Texans are our neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and family members. They are just as Texan and American as anyone else. Reducing young Longhorn fans to “foreigners” because of how they look is not just wrong; it is precisely the kind of divisive stereotyping that corrodes our civic life and invites harassment and exclusion.
It is especially troubling that a candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission—an agency that regulates oil and gas and touches the lives and livelihoods of communities across our state—would resort to overt racial appeals. Mr. French has defended his comments by asserting that institutions prioritize “foreign students and workers” and by claiming, without evidence, that this results in fraud. This rhetoric mirrors a long, shameful tradition of scapegoating and conspiracy-mongering. It distracts from real policy issues and sows distrust among Texans.
Importantly, condemnation of Mr. French’s post has come from across the political spectrum. State Rep. Drew Darby called it “racism, plain and simple,” and urged Mr. French to delete the post and apologize. State Rep. Jeff Leach also called it racist. Other Republican leaders described it as gross and unbecoming. We commend those voices of conscience. Basic decency is not partisan.
This episode is not isolated. Mr. French has previously faced scrutiny for provocative commentary, including a prior survey about whether Jews or Muslims are a “threat,” which prompted calls for him to resign. When a candidate repeatedly tests the boundaries of bigotry, it raises profound concerns about judgment, fitness for public trust, and respect for the diverse communities officials are sworn to serve.
Moments like this underscore why civil-rights protections—including the Voting Rights Act—remain necessary. When candidates deploy racialized narratives to marginalize communities, it reveals ongoing barriers to equal participation and representation. Safeguards that ensure fair access to the ballot and equal voice in our democracy are not relics of the past; they are living commitments we must uphold to protect all Texans.
We call on Texans of common decency—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike—to reject this rhetoric. Let us affirm the dignity and belonging of all people of color, including Asian Texans, and stand together for an inclusive Texas where every student, worker, and family can thrive without being told they do not belong. We urge the public to make their voices heard at the ballot box and to engage in civic life with vigilance and compassion. Democracy depends on it, and Texas is stronger when every Texan is respected.
For additional information contact:
Lonzo Kerr, Jr. State Staff
Texas State Conference of NAACP Units
(512) 985-9151
