Political strategist Karl Rove backs Democrat Rosenthal in Texas — Jerusalem Post
In Texas, Republican political strategist Karl Rove has endorsed Democratic Party candidate John Rosenthal in the election for the state Railroad Commission. As The Jerusalem Post reports, Rosenthal is the first Democrat Rove intends to vote for in more than 30 years.
Rosenthal’s opponent is Republican Party candidate Bo French. Rove linked his decision to French’s statements, which prompted accusations of racism, antisemitism and religious intolerance. In particular, in 2025, French, who was then chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party organization, posted an online poll asking who posed a greater threat to the United States — Jews or Muslims. He later deleted the posts.
Republican reaction
In an article for The Wall Street Journal, Rove said that the number of politicians like French is growing in the Republican Party, and mentioned antisemitism, misogyny, conspiracy theories and religious intolerance. Texas Senator John Cornyn also condemned French’s posts and asked whether other elected Republicans would condemn intolerance and racism. At the same time, Cornyn did not endorse Rosenthal, saying that he may not vote for either candidate in the race.
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French was previously criticized for a post featuring a photograph of racial minority students at the University of Texas celebrating a football victory. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows criticized the post, but did not formally withdraw their support for the candidate.
Election to the energy regulator
The Texas Railroad Commission consists of three members and regulates the state’s large oil and gas sector. Despite its name, it has no authority over immigration or religious matters. French and Rosenthal agreed to hold a debate on October 22.
According to a Texas Southern University poll released last week, French is leading Rosenthal, but by a smaller margin than Republican candidates usually have in Texas. Rosenthal, a mechanical engineer by training, accused French of blatant racism. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the political strategist after Rove’s article was published, without mentioning French or his posts about Jews.
