NBC News projects that Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal has won the race for Texas railroad commissioner, defeating Republican Bo French. The victory places Rosenthal on the three-member commission that regulates oil and gas production in the state, a body with significant influence over the nation's energy sector. Members of the commission serve six-year terms.
The race drew national attention after French, the former Tarrant County Republican Party chair, faced widespread backlash within his own party for a series of comments characterized by critics as anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, and antisemitic. Despite the controversy, French remained the Republican nominee, while Rosenthal campaigned on lowering energy costs and implementing regulatory guardrails.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic candidates and allies framed the victory as a rejection of divisive rhetoric in favor of pragmatic energy policy. Rosenthal, a mechanical engineer who has served in the state House since 2019, centered his campaign on lowering energy costs for Texans, implementing guardrails for data centers, and establishing weatherization requirements for gas production. He also pledged to ban industry donations to commissioners.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, a Republican who endorsed Rosenthal, stated in a release shared by the campaign that the commission is not a venue for ideological battles. "The Texas Railroad Commission is not a place for culture wars and bigotry — it’s the foundation of the Texas economy, and we cannot afford to hand it to the wrong leader," Parker said.
Rosenthal joins a new slate of incoming Democratic officeholders in Texas, including Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa and Sen.-elect James Talarico. His win is viewed by Democratic strategists as part of a broader effort to gain footholds in statewide offices traditionally held by Republicans.
What the Right Is Saying
The Republican response was fragmented, with prominent figures distancing themselves from French while others remained silent. Sen. John Cornyn stated he would not vote for French, and Karl Rove, the longtime GOP consultant and former adviser to President George W. Bush, said he would vote for Rosenthal instead. Rove cited French's history of discriminatory remarks as the primary reason for his opposition.
French defended his statements throughout the campaign. When asked by WFAA-TV in July if he regretted his controversial comments, he said no, adding, "Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth." In an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, French argued that his party should embrace Islamophobia and support deporting 100 million people. "I’m going to say something that’s going to make some people uncomfortable: The problem is, we call it Sharia [law], but the problem is actually Islam," French said, according to The Texas Tribune. "If they can infiltrate Texas and conquer Texas, then what’s going to happen? They’re going to be able to control the United States."
Earlier in his career as Tarrant County Republican Party chair, French faced calls for resignation from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick after posting an online poll asking whether "Jews" or "Muslims" posed a bigger threat to the U.S. Patrick stated on X at the time, "Bo French’s words do not reflect my values nor the values of the Republican Party. Antisemitism and religious bigotry have no place in Texas."
What the Numbers Show
NBC News projects the race for Rosenthal, though final vote counts and margins are not detailed in the available source material. The Texas Railroad Commission consists of three members who serve staggered six-year terms. The commission regulates the oil and gas industry, which is a cornerstone of the Texas economy.
In September, French drew significant criticism after posting an image on X of University of Texas graduates, some of whom appeared to be South Asian or Indian. He wrote, "I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined." Hours later, he reposted the image, citing it as evidence that "Americans have been displaced by foreigners." This incident occurred during the height of the general election campaign, coinciding with the shift in support among some Republican leaders.
The Bottom Line
Rosenthal's projected win marks a significant shift in Texas state politics, placing a Democrat in a key regulatory position overseeing the state's primary economic driver. The result highlights a fracture in the Texas Republican Party, where institutional figures like Cornyn, Rove, and Parker moved away from a nominee they viewed as too extreme for a statewide office. The incoming commissioner will face immediate pressure to address energy costs and regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies like data centers. As votes are still being certified, the final margin and any potential recounts remain to be seen, but the projection indicates a Democratic hold on this seat.