Bo French is an American businessman, investor and Republican political figure known for his involvement in Texas politics. He previously chaired the Tarrant County Republican Party and became the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner after defeating incumbent Jim Wright in the May 2026 primary runoff.
As of September 14, 2026, French was campaigning for the November general election against Democratic state representative Jon Rosenthal. His career has attracted attention for his business background, challenges to established Republicans and controversial statements about religion, race and immigration.
Quick Facts About Bo French
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Richard West “Bo” French |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman, investor and political activist |
| Political affiliation | Republican Party |
| Political base | Tarrant County, Texas |
| Former role | Tarrant County Republican Party chairman |
| Chairmanship | 2023–2025 |
| Current political status | Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner |
| Net worth | No reliable estimate established |
Early Life, Family Background and Education
According to his campaign biography, Bo French grew up in Midland, Texas, where his family had ties to the energy industry. His father, L. R. “Bob” French Jr., worked as an independent oil and gas operator and rancher.
French’s educational background is less extensively documented in publicly available material. Texas Values Action described him as a Texas Christian University graduate when endorsing his legislative campaign in December 2015.
His degree subject and graduation year were not confirmed.
Business Career
French’s campaign biography places the beginning of his energy career in 1994. It says he spent a decade working as an energy trader before describing his wider activities in ranching, mineral ownership and security businesses.
The campaign also states that he owned and operated security businesses in the Middle East. These descriptions form part of the experience he presents to voters, although they do not establish the size, profitability or current status of each venture.
Independent reporting has identified French as an investor and former business associate of Chris Kyle, the former Navy SEAL known for American Sniper. Their connection involved Craft International, a company providing tactical training, including services for law enforcement.
The Craft International dispute
French’s association with Kyle became a public issue during his 2016 campaign for the Texas House.
In February that year, Kyle’s widow, Taya Kyle, accused French of using her husband’s name and likeness in breach of a November 2014 settlement agreement. She said the agreement followed an earlier legal dispute involving the business.
FOX 4 reported that French’s representative denied finding misuse in his campaign materials. Taya Kyle challenged that response and emphasised that the earlier lawsuit had ended through a mutual settlement.
The dispute brought scrutiny to French’s campaign references to Kyle. The allegations themselves should not be treated as a court ruling establishing wrongdoing.
Bo French’s Political Career
Running for the Texas House in 2016
French entered the Republican primary for Texas House District 99 against incumbent Charlie Geren in 2016. The district covered parts of Fort Worth and northwestern Tarrant County.
He argued that voters needed more conservative representation in Austin. His campaign called for smaller government and stronger action on illegal immigration, while criticising the direction of Republican leadership in the legislature.
Geren defended his record and his approach to passing legislation. The race became part of a wider disagreement within the party over whether experienced lawmakers were delivering the policies conservative activists wanted.
French lost the primary, leaving Geren as the Republican nominee.
A second challenge in 2018
French challenged Geren again in the 2018 Republican primary. This time, his supporters included the conservative organisation Empower Texans and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.
The contest again drew attention to divisions within the Republican Party. Geren was closely associated with House Speaker Joe Straus, whose leadership had faced opposition from activists seeking a more conservative legislature.
Geren won the rematch. French therefore did not enter the Texas House through either campaign, despite the visibility and financial support surrounding his candidacies.
Leading the Tarrant County Republican Party
In October 2023, Republican precinct chairs selected French as Tarrant County party chairman. He replaced Rick Barnes, who had stepped aside to seek another position.
The chairmanship placed him at the head of a local political organisation during the 2024 election cycle. It was a party role, separate from holding a legislative seat or a county government office.
When announcing his departure, French highlighted party fundraising and Donald Trump’s victory in Tarrant County as achievements during his leadership. Those claims reflected his assessment of his tenure; the election outcome cannot be attributed to one individual alone.
On November 12, 2025, French announced his campaign for Texas Railroad Commissioner and said he had resigned as county chairman.
Winning the 2026 Republican nomination
French defeated incumbent Jim Wright in the Republican primary runoff on May 26, 2026. Wright had received support from Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows.
The result gave French the Republican nomination for the November 3 general election. His Democratic opponent, Jon Rosenthal, is a state representative with an engineering background.
Winning the nomination did not make French a commissioner. As of September 14, the general election had not taken place, and he had not assumed the office.
What Does the Texas Railroad Commission Do?
The Texas Railroad Commission primarily regulates the state’s oil and natural gas industry. Its responsibilities also cover pipeline safety, natural gas utilities and certain mining activities.
Despite its name, the agency no longer regulates railroads. Three elected commissioners lead it, serving staggered six-year terms.
The commission’s work affects energy production, industry compliance and environmental protection. This explains why a campaign for the position involves questions about abandoned wells, groundwater contamination and oversight of energy companies.
Public Positions and Controversies
French presents himself as a supporter of Donald Trump and domestic energy production. His campaign opposes diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, usually called DEI, along with what it describes as excessive regulation and hostile foreign influence.
During the Republican primary, opponents questioned his emphasis on religious and immigration issues. Wright and fellow candidate Hawk Dunlap argued that such themes distracted from the practical responsibilities of the commission.
The June 2025 religious poll
While serving as county chairman, French posted a social media poll asking whether Jews or Muslims posed a greater threat to America.
Patrick called for his resignation, condemning antisemitism and religious bigotry. French initially defended his position as opposition to Islamic radicals.
He later deleted the poll and expressed regret, saying its intent had been misunderstood. He also stated that antisemitism had no place in the Republican Party.
French refused to resign at that point. His departure came months later, alongside his announcement that he would pursue statewide office.
The September 2026 university posts
On September 13, 2026, French shared a photograph of University of Texas football spectators and suggested that foreigners were displacing Americans.
The posts focused on students who appeared to be of South Asian descent without establishing their citizenship or immigration status. Senator John Cornyn condemned the remarks as racist and intolerant, while Burrows also criticised them.
French defended his position and accused Cornyn of favouring foreign nationals over American citizens. The Texas Tribune and Chron reported the posts and the resulting criticism.
Personal Life
Historical public accounts identify Sheridan French as Bo French’s wife. His father’s 2013 obituary names the couple, and a December 2015 political endorsement describes French and his wife as raising four children.
These accounts establish family information at those dates. They do not confirm his current marital status, so a present-day marriage or relationship is not asserted.
Bo French’s Net Worth and Income Sources
A reliable estimate of Bo French’s net worth could not be established from the sources reviewed.
His professional history includes investment work and his association with Craft International. His campaign also describes energy trading, ranching, mineral ownership and overseas security businesses.
However, the available information does not establish his current earnings from these activities. It also does not provide a complete account of his personal assets and debts.
Campaign donations are not personal wealth, and the finances of relatives or business associates cannot be counted as his own. Without adequate financial evidence, an exact figure or estimated range would be speculative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bo French’s full name?
His full name is Richard West “Bo” French, as recorded in Texas Ethics Commission documents.
Has Bo French become Texas Railroad Commissioner?
As of September 14, 2026, he was the Republican nominee. The general election was scheduled for November 3, and he had not taken office.
Did Bo French serve in the Texas House?
He unsuccessfully challenged Charlie Geren in Republican primaries in 2016 and 2018. Neither campaign resulted in a legislative seat.
Who is Bo French’s wife?
Older public accounts identify Sheridan French as his wife. Those historical references do not establish his current marital status.
Is Bo French a millionaire?
His personal net worth has not been reliably established. His business background alone does not verify millionaire status.
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