Karl Rove breaks 30-year streak to back Democrat in Texas energy race

Key points

• Karl Rove confirmed he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal against Republican Bo French for the Texas Railroad Commission, marking the first time in over 30 years he has supported a Democrat.
• Rove condemned French for posting xenophobic comments about South Asian students and previous antisemitic polls, calling the GOP’s embrace of such figures a 'Nazi' problem.
• French’s campaign has faced criticism from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, though Abbott has not formally withdrawn his endorsement.
• President Donald Trump criticized Rove on Truth Social, calling him 'so bad for the Republican Party,' though he did not directly address French’s controversial posts.
• French currently leads in polling from Texas Southern University, but by a narrower margin than typical for Texas Republicans, with a debate scheduled for October 22.

Background

This development follows earlier reports in September 2026 where Rove first signaled his intent to vote for Rosenthal at a private luncheon and later in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. The controversy stems from French’s 2025 tenure as Tarrant County GOP Chair, where he posted a poll asking whether Jews or Muslims posed a greater threat to America. The broader context includes Rove’s recent criticism of the U.S. Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico, where he argued that incumbent John Cornyn would have won the seat if he were the nominee, citing Paxton’s personal scandals.

How outlets are covering it

Salon and The Texas Tribune emphasize Rove’s explicit condemnation of far-right figures like Nick French and Nick Fuentes, framing the decision as a moral break with the party. The Jerusalem Post highlights the antisemitic dimension, noting that Rosenthal is a Jewish candidate and that French’s past posts targeted Jewish communities, while also noting that some Jewish Republican groups still support French. UA.NEWS provides a neutral summary of the polling data and the lack of formal endorsement withdrawal from top state Republicans. All sources agree that Rove’s decision is unprecedented, but they differ in emphasis: some focus on the energy policy implications, while others focus on the cultural and religious backlash.

Why it matters

Rove’s endorsement signals a potential shift in the Republican base’s tolerance for extremist rhetoric, particularly in a state where the Railroad Commission regulates a massive portion of U.S. oil production. The controversy may influence voter behavior in other midterm races, as it highlights internal GOP divisions over the inclusion of far-right candidates. Additionally, the race serves as a test case for how much weight voters place on cultural issues versus party loyalty in competitive statewide offices.

What to watch

The next key event is the debate between French and Rosenthal scheduled for October 22. Polling data will be closely watched to see if Rove’s endorsement and the backlash against French’s posts impact the race’s margin. The outcome of this race may also influence the broader narrative in the U.S. Senate race between Paxton and Talarico, as both candidates are facing scrutiny over their associations with controversial figures.