From ABC News · ABC News · · 1m 50s
Cornyn won't vote for Texas Republican over racist post
A candidate's controversial social media comments about UT students spark rare GOP infighting.
In brief
A candidate's controversial social media comments about UT students spark rare GOP infighting. When a Republican candidate posts something widely seen as racist, even senior party members will publicly distance themselves. Originally reported by ABC News.
Cornyn rejects fellow Republican
Outgoing Texas Sen. John Cornyn said he won't vote for Bo French, the Republican candidate for railroad commissioner, calling him an embarrassment over racist comments.
“He's an embarrassment to the Republican Party, and he's going to drag the whole ticket down because of his racist comments.”
French posts about UT students
French shared a photo of students celebrating Texas' football win over Ohio State, many of them students of color, suggesting the university prioritizes foreigners over Texans.
“I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn't believe it.”
The facts about UT enrollment
Texas law requires UT Austin reserve 90% of spots for state residents and limits international students to 10% of enrollment. International students actually make up just 4.3% of the 44,000 total students.
Karl Rove also condemns French
Republican strategist Karl Rove, who advised President George W. Bush, said he would vote for French's Democratic opponent and called for the GOP to clean house.
“The GOP's stables need a cleaning. This is a good place to start.”
Other Republicans pile on
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows and other GOP lawmakers condemned French's post, saying you can oppose immigration policy without demeaning people based on race or ethnicity.
“You can oppose immigration policy without demeaning people because of their race or ethnicity, this post has crossed the line.”
GOP leadership stays silent
The Republican Party of Texas and Gov. Greg Abbott have not responded to requests for comment. Texas Democrats criticized the silence as allowing bigotry to become normalized.
French doubles down on claims
French claimed the left was attacking him and later said on conservative radio that the real issue is whether America should prioritize Americans over foreigners, not the students in the photo.
“I don't have anything against the people specifically in that picture.”
Cornyn calls for party accountability
Cornyn warned that the Republican Party will self-destruct if it doesn't condemn intolerance and racism, asking whether other GOP officials would speak up or look the other way.
“This is how great political parties self-destruct. Sad.”
The short version
When a Republican candidate posts something widely seen as racist, even senior party members will publicly distance themselves.
