Republican Texas Railroad Commission candidate Bo French abruptly pulled out of a planned Harris County meet-and-greet at Masjid AlSalam in Spring on Friday, saying his security team told him not to attend because the gathering was at an Islamic center. He announced the cancellation on X just hours before the event was set to start, while organizers told attendees the bipartisan meet-and-greet would go on without him. The about-face quickly drew attention in light of French’s recent social media controversies.
French's Last-Minute X Post
In his post on X, French wrote, "On the advice of my security team, I have to cancel my appearance at the Harris County GOP event tonight. This event is being held in an islamic center," as shown on X. The message went up just hours before the scheduled meet-and-greet and included a photo. Social media users and would-be attendees reacted quickly to the news.
Statement To Reporters And Mosque Response
In a statement to the paper, French said, "It is sad to see how much more dangerous the Islamization of Texas has made our state," and added that the state needs a leader who will "shut down the mullahs wherever they are," according to the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle reported that the Masjid AlSalam mosque did not immediately respond to requests for comment and that the meet-and-greet went forward as planned. Organizers had promoted last Friday gathering as "a meet and greet event with representatives from the Texas Democratic and Republican parties."
History Of Incendiary Posts
French has repeatedly come under fire for inflammatory social media activity. Earlier this year he sparked backlash after posting a poll that asked whether "Jews" or "Muslims" were a "bigger threat to America." That controversy led to calls for his removal as Tarrant County GOP chair and came shortly before his November decision to step down and run for Railroad Commissioner, as reported by the San Antonio Current. Political observers say his Friday pullout fits a pattern that has made it harder for French to build broader support inside the GOP.
Political Ripple Effects
Some Republicans have publicly tried to put distance between themselves and French’s rhetoric. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wrote that "Bo French’s words do not reflect my values nor the values of the Republican Party" and that "Antisemitism and religious bigotry have no place in Texas," according to the Houston Chronicle.
What Comes Next
French will stay on the ballot in the GOP primary alongside incumbent Jim Wright and challenger Hawk Dunlap, according to prior reporting by the San Antonio Current. The Spring mosque meet-and-greet is likely to remain part of the conversation as the primary unfolds and voters decide what kind of politics they want representing them on the powerful energy-regulating commission.
