Texas Statewide Candidate Faces Backlash Over Posts Calling for Mass Denaturalization

Photo: Facebook / Things You Don't Know Official A Texas statewide political candidate is facing mounting criticism after a series of so...

Photo: Facebook / Things You Don't Know Official

A Texas statewide political candidate is facing mounting criticism after a series of social media posts calling for denaturalization and deportation sparked widespread backlash from civil rights advocates, tribal leaders, and political opponents across the state.

Bo French, a former chair of the Tarrant County GOP and a current candidate for the Texas Railroad Commission, has come under fire over posts attributed to his account on X. One widely circulated post referenced denaturalizing and deporting people he described as “third world” individuals and mentioned groups “we conquered,” language critics interpreted as a reference to Native Americans and sovereign tribal nations.

The post quickly went viral, drawing condemnation from Indigenous advocates and civil rights organizations, who argued that the rhetoric promotes historical erasure and collective punishment. Opponents say the language ignores the legal and historical reality that Native American tribes are recognized as sovereign nations with treaty rights predating the formation of the United States.

French’s online activity has previously attracted controversy. Past posts attributed to him have targeted a Muslim state lawmaker and included remarks about LGBTQ+ people and religious communities, prompting accusations of bigotry and extremist rhetoric. Critics argue the cumulative pattern reflects an ideology that goes beyond standard conservative positions and into discriminatory territory.

Supporters of French have defended his statements, saying he is articulating hardline conservative views on immigration, national identity, and American sovereignty. They argue that his rhetoric, while provocative, resonates with some voters frustrated by federal immigration policy and cultural change. French himself has defended his posts as consistent with conservative values, though calls have grown for him to clarify or retract the statements.

The controversy has placed renewed attention on the Texas Railroad Commission race, which carries significant influence despite its misleading name. The commission oversees the regulation of oil, gas, and energy resources in Texas, making it one of the most powerful statewide elected bodies. Political analysts note that the primary contest for the seat is closely watched due to its implications for energy policy, environmental regulation, and economic development.

Civil rights groups have warned that rhetoric calling for mass denaturalization echoes historical policies of exclusion and removal, particularly against Indigenous peoples. Several advocacy organizations have called on political leaders from both parties to denounce the statements and reaffirm commitments to constitutional protections and tribal sovereignty.

As the backlash continues, the episode has intensified debate over the boundaries of political speech, the role of social media in modern campaigns, and how candidates’ online statements reflect their fitness for public office. Whether the controversy will affect voter support remains to be seen, but it has already made French’s candidacy a focal point in Texas’s increasingly polarized political landscape.