Bo French has secured the Republican nomination for a key regulatory role in Texas overseeing the state’s oil and gas industry.
French, supported by far-right Texas oil magnates, narrowly defeated incumbent Jim Wright with 50.6% of the vote in the primary runoff for the Railroad Commission of Texas.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of TX Republicans across our state,” French wrote on X. “Our campaign focused on defending oil and gas, and putting America First—and that’s exactly what I will continue fighting for as we turn our attention to radical Democrat Jon Rosenthal.”
French will contest Democrat Jon Rosenthal, a Houston-based state representative and engineer, in the November general election.
The primary runoff results marked a comeback for French, a former Tarrant County GOP chairman, criticized less than a year ago for a controversial poll on X. French later resigned as chairman to pursue the Railroad Commission seat.
French has advocated for Republicans to embrace Islamophobia and supports deporting 100 million individuals, including legal residents and citizens. Wright had support from Gov. Greg Abbott and fellow Republican commissioners. However, the far-right trend in Texas Republican politics, highlighted by Attorney General Ken Paxton’s victory over U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, favored French.
Wright had not commented on the results as of Wednesday morning. Rosenthal criticized the Republican choice, highlighting French’s controversial rhetoric.
French’s campaign did not immediately respond for comment. The advocacy group Commission Shift Action denounced French, stating his views divert attention from pressing issues like orphaned wells, radioactive waste, and harmful flaring from oil wells.
Texas remains one of the few states electing oil and gas regulators. Railroad Commissioners serve six-year terms, with all positions held by Republicans for decades. Wright, elected in 2020, worked on updating oilfield waste regulations.
French criticized Wright during the campaign, labeling him “Jihadi Jim” on social media. The Texas Freedom Fund for the Advancement of Justice PAC, supported by oil billionaires Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, donated $375,000 to French’s campaign before the March primary, with subsequent contributions totaling $573,500.
Wright received backing from oil industry PACs and executives. French’s support was robust in Harris County and some counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Wright found strongholds in South Texas and counties like Ector and Midland.
The Railroad Commission of Texas manages the largest U.S. oil and gas industry, with over 400,000 wells, including more than 7,500 orphans. The agency continues to struggle with issues like oilfield wastewater leaks in the Permian Basin.
While the U.S. conflict with Iran has boosted Texas’s oil industry, Abbott warned French’s agenda could harm the sector. He emphasized the importance of the November elections.
Following French’s victory, Abbott congratulated him, stating Republicans are united for the upcoming election.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org