# Texas GOP Splits Over Candidate's 'Displaced by Foreigners' Post

- URL: https://twotakes.us/stories/texas-gop-splits-over-candidates-displaced-by-foreigners-post
- Published: 2026-09-16T01:12:01.574137+00:00
- Topics: texas-politics, race-and-racism, immigration, gop-primary, midterm-elections-2026

## What the left says
- The post targeting Asian American students at a Texas football game reflects a broader pattern of racist and xenophobic rhetoric being normalized within parts of the Republican Party.
- Prominent Republicans like John Cornyn and Dan Crenshaw who condemned French were themselves marginalized or defeated by Trump-aligned primary challengers, raising questions about which voices the party is elevating.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson's defense of Brandon Herrera's vulgar, misogynistic remarks as merely an 'online persona' shows a willingness to excuse offensive conduct when politically convenient.
- Leaders like Gov. Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton avoided direct condemnation of French's post, choosing instead to deflect or pivot to unrelated policy talking points like H-1B visas.

## What the right says
- French's supporters argue he was raising legitimate concerns about demographic change and the effects of immigration policy on native-born Americans, not making a racist attack.
- Many conservatives believe the backlash reflects a double standard, noting Democratic figures like Graham Platner faced controversies over offensive material yet still secured their party's nomination.
- Some on the right argue the Republican Party risks alienating its base if it distances itself from candidates who speak bluntly about demographic and immigration concerns.
- French has refused to delete or apologize for his posts, framing his stance as defending Texas voters and institutions like UT-Austin from being reshaped by outside interests.

## Common ground
- Bo French posted a photo of University of Texas students celebrating a football win and claimed it showed Americans being 'displaced by foreigners.'
- Multiple prominent Texas Republicans, including Sen. John Cornyn, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, and state Rep. Lacey Hull, publicly criticized French's post.
- French has not deleted the post and has continued defending his comments despite the backlash.
- Both parties have faced controversy this election cycle over candidates' past offensive or inflammatory statements, including Democrat Graham Platner and Republican Brandon Herrera.

## Sources
- [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/gop-controversy-brandon-herrera-bo-french) (Lean Left)
- [Blaze Media](https://www.theblaze.com/news/gop-civil-war-over-race-ignites-after-republican-posts-university-of-texas-crowd-photo) (Right)
- [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/14/bo-french-ut-football-students-01075214) (Lean Left)
- [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/13/john-cornyn-bo-french-texas-students-01073901) (Lean Left)
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6087705-gop-candidate-ut-south-asian-backlash/) (Center)
- [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/09/14/texas-republicans-denounce-gop-statewide-candidate-racist-posts-about-ut-students/) (Lean Left)

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