Texas Railroad Commission Candidate Bo French Calls for Public Executions of Obama and Democrats

Republican Bo French, seeking the Texas Railroad Commission seat, has been linked to a series of 2020 X posts calling for the public execution of former President Barack Obama and other Democratic officials, employing the hashtag #HangEmHigh. In one message, he labeled Obama a "treasonous conspirator" and suggested the death penalty as the only remedy for the alleged Russia probe hoax. Additional posts targeted House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and praised extreme punitive measures.

French’s extremist language has provoked backlash from outgoing Sen. John Cornyn, who refused endorsement, and veteran strategist Karl Rove, who pledged to vote for French’s Democratic rival, Jon Rosenthal. The candidate also faced criticism earlier for sharing a photo of South Asian University of Texas students with a disparaging caption. The Texas Railroad Commission, now responsible for regulating the state’s oil and gas industry, is the office French hopes to win.