Tarrant County GOP Chairman Bo French announced his run for the Texas Railroad Commission in 2026 after confirming that he will not seek another term as county party chairman.
French has led the Tarrant County Republican Party since late 2023. French helped deliver Tarrant County for President Donald Trump, expanding Republican margins in the county for the first time in several cycles, flipping a constable seat in the 2024 election, and reaching what he described as “all-time fundraising records” for the local GOP.
In his campaign announcement, French linked his candidacy to a defense of Texas energy independence and opposition to global and domestic threats.
“Texas oil and gas made America great and literally fueled the fight for freedom across the world. With Iran and radical Islamists attacking our allies in the Middle East, the Chinese Communist Party pushing its agenda worldwide, and the radical Green New Scam artists waging war on domestic energy production, our state needs a strong leader who will fight back,” French said in his statement. “I’m running for Railroad Commissioner to put American citizens, American interests, and American energy first.”
French also highlighted initiatives from his time as chairman, including efforts to shut down DEI departments at Texas Christian University and within the City of Fort Worth. He also called out what he described as “the growing threat of China and Leftism.”
“The Texas oil and gas industry needs a strong defender who will never back down to leftist pressure,” French said. “As your next Railroad Commissioner, I will fight to end DEI, radical climate change ideology, and foreign capture of our oil and gas industries. I am the battle-tested conservative in this race, and I will always fight to put America First.”
Supporters praised his announcement.
“You have my full support! Let me know if I can do anything to help!” Alex Stein posted on X.
“I am so sad that we are losing you as our TCGOP Chairman, but we will fully support you as you fight for Texas as Railroad Commissioner,” Fort Worth resident Traci Jenkins wrote on X.
French also posted on X, saying, “Today I resigned as TCGOP Chairman, and am running for the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the Texas oil and gas industry. This will be the best way that I can defend Texas, stop the Islamic invasion, and defeat the left.”