SD 28 Democratic candidate: Bo French's racism not new in Texas - Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

French's posts targeted the skin color and heritage of minority students at the school, prompting an SD 28 Democratic candidate to respond that this kind of rhetoric is nothing new in Texas politics. Some Republicans issued statements condemning French's comments, but none called for him to step aside from the race. That distinction matters for voters watching a statewide contest that touches every corner of the state, including West Texas.

If French wins, he would take a seat on the commission that regulates the oil and gas industry, an agency whose decisions ripple through communities far from Austin. The Democratic candidate running against him in SD 28 is using the moment to draw a sharper line between the two parties heading into the race. Whether Republican leaders go further than condemnation, or let the moment pass, could shape how voters in Lubbock and across the state view the party's response to its own candidates.

Strongly worded statements are easy. Nobody asked him to drop out.