Bo French, the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, repeatedly called for public executions of political opponents in since-removed social media posts, a CNN KFile investigation reported on September 28.

KFile found at least five removed posts from February 2025, under a previous username on his current account, invoking public executions, gallows or hanging. Older posts from a now-suspended account used during his failed 2016 and 2018 statehouse runs urged Donald Trump to “hang” former President Barack Obama and Obama-era officials over the Russia investigation. French did not respond to CNN’s inquiries.

French is running to lead the powerful agency that regulates Texas oil and gas. He was already facing bipartisan criticism over a racist post about the crowd at a University of Texas football game. Longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove said he would vote for the Democrat in the race, and Senator John Cornyn said he would not vote for French.

French dismissed his critics as “less conservative.” The episode is the latest in a string of controversies over his posts on immigration, race and religion, including a call earlier this year to deport 100 million people.