Richard West “Bo” French is a Texas businessman, investor and Republican politician who has become a prominent figure in Texas conservative politics. Born in Fort Worth and raised in Midland, French comes from a family with longstanding ties to the Texas oil industry and has built a career spanning energy trading, investment management, security businesses and Republican Party politics.
In 2026, French became the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, placing him on the statewide November ballot. His campaign has focused heavily on energy, property rights, conservative politics and opposition to what he describes as foreign influence in Texas.
His public profile has also grown because of controversial statements and social-media posts that have drawn criticism from political opponents and some members of his own party.
Who Is Richard West “Bo” French?
Richard West French, better known as Bo French, was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1969 according to Vote Smart, although some sources give his birth year as 1968 or 1969.
He was raised in Midland, in the heart of the Permian Basin, where his family has longstanding connections to the oil business.
French’s campaign biography describes him as a CEO, investor, rancher and mineral owner whose background in the energy sector has influenced his political interests.
His career eventually moved from the family ranch and energy industry into investment management and business ventures before he became increasingly involved in Republican politics.
Bo French Age
Bo French was born in 1969, according to Vote Smart, making him 57 years old in 2026 if the 1969 birth year is used.
Some biographical sources list his birth year as 1968 or 1969, so his exact birth date is not consistently published.
Richard West “Bo” French Bio at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Richard West French |
| Known as | Bo French |
| Birth year | 1969, according to Vote Smart |
| Age in 2026 | 57 |
| Birthplace | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Raised in | Midland, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Texas Christian University |
| Degree | Bachelor’s degree in History |
| Religion | Christian |
| Wife | Sheridan French, reportedly divorced |
| Children | Four |
| Profession | Investor, businessman and politician |
| Political position | Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2026 |
| Former political role | Chairman, Tarrant County Republican Party |
| Height | Not reliably disclosed |
| Net worth | Not reliably established |
Bo French Education
French attended the University of Texas at Austin before continuing his education at Texas Christian University.
According to Vote Smart, he earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Texas Christian University in 1993.
He also attended TCU’s Ranch Management Program, completing that program in 1994. Another voter profile lists the New Mexico Military Institute among his earlier educational experiences.
His educational background combines traditional academic study with ranch and land-management training, reflecting the West Texas environment in which he was raised.
Bo French Family and Parents
Bo French comes from a prominent West Texas oil family.
His campaign biography says his family has been involved in the oil business for more than 80 years and describes his father as an All-American wildcatter.
His father was L.R. “Bob” French, a longtime West Texas businessman associated with the French Oil Company. Bob French’s obituary identified Bo among his children and listed Sheridan as Bo’s wife at the time.
The family’s connection to the oil industry has been an important part of Bo French’s personal and professional background.
Is Bo French Married? Who Is His Wife?
Bo French was married to Sheridan French.
Public records and biographical sources identify Sheridan as his wife and indicate that they have four children. More recent reporting and public references indicate that the couple later divorced.
French and Sheridan were also involved together in a 2017 legal case concerning allegations surrounding their family during one of French’s earlier political campaigns. Court records identify Richard West Bo French and Sheridan French as plaintiffs.
Because details about his children are not broadly documented in authoritative public biographies, they are best treated as private family information rather than expanded upon here.
Bo French Religion
Bo French identifies as Christian.
Vote Smart lists his religion as Christian and records his attendance at Watermark Community Church. In a 2026 voter guide, French described himself as a Christian who believes in values centered on personal responsibility, God, family and country, saying that the Bible informs his beliefs.
His religious beliefs have also influenced the way he discusses social and political issues during his campaigns.
Bo French Career Before Politics
French’s professional career began in the ranching and energy sectors.
Vote Smart lists him as a manager at French Land & Cattle from 1994 to 1997 before he moved into financial markets.
He subsequently worked as an equity trader at Carlson Capital, where he spent approximately eight years.
French later became involved in investment businesses, serving as a co-founder and chief operating officer of Verity Capital Partners and Trugent Capital.
He later became managing partner of French Capital Partners.
His campaign describes him as having worked in energy trading for roughly a decade and says his experience gave him extensive exposure to Texas’s oil and gas industry.
Bo French and Craft International
Another significant chapter of French’s business career involved Craft International, a tactical training and security company he co-founded with former Navy SEAL and American Sniper author Chris Kyle.
French served as the company’s chief operating officer.
The company provided training to military and law-enforcement personnel, and French has subsequently highlighted his work in security businesses operating in the Middle East as part of his professional background.
His involvement with Craft International also later became connected to a legal dispute involving Kyle’s widow, Taya Kyle. The dispute was eventually resolved through a settlement.
Bo French Political Career
French first attempted to enter electoral politics in the Texas House.
He ran for the Republican nomination in Texas House District 99 in 2016 and again in 2018, but did not defeat incumbent Republican Charlie Geren.
His political career later moved into county Republican Party leadership.
French was elected chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party in October 2023 and served in that position until resigning in November 2025.
His tenure attracted significant attention because of his increasingly combative political messaging and controversial social-media activity.
Bo French and the 2026 Texas Railroad Commission Race
After leaving the Tarrant County Republican Party chairmanship, French entered the Republican primary for Texas Railroad Commissioner.
He defeated incumbent Jim Wright in the Republican runoff and became the Republican nominee for the November 2026 general election.
The Texas Railroad Commission oversees important areas of Texas’s oil and gas industry, making the position particularly relevant to French given his professional background in energy and investment.
His campaign emphasizes energy production, landowners’ rights, regulation of oil and gas operations and opposition to foreign influence in the Texas energy sector.
Bo French Political Controversies
French has attracted substantial controversy because of comments about immigration, Islam, race and political opponents.
In March 2026, he spoke at a Conservative Political Action Conference event in Texas and called for the deportation of 100 million people, a figure that would include millions of U.S. citizens. The comments drew national attention and criticism.
He has also faced criticism from Republicans over controversial social-media posts.
More recently, in September 2026, U.S. Senator John Cornyn and other Texas Republicans condemned a social-media post by French involving a photograph of University of Texas students. The controversy became another major part of coverage surrounding his Railroad Commission campaign.
These controversies are now part of the public record surrounding French’s political career and have contributed to his national profile.
Bo French Net Worth
There is no reliable publicly verified figure for Bo French’s personal net worth.
His career as an investor, energy trader, business executive and owner of private businesses suggests substantial professional experience in finance and energy, but that does not establish a specific personal fortune.
Campaign fundraising totals should also not be confused with personal net worth. For example, Transparency USA reports significant campaign contributions and expenditures for his 2026 campaign, but campaign finances do not represent French’s personal wealth.
For that reason, claims placing his net worth at a specific dollar amount should be treated cautiously unless supported by financial disclosure records or another authoritative source.
Bo French Height
Bo French’s height has not been reliably disclosed in authoritative public biographies.
Although various websites may publish estimated measurements, there is insufficient reliable evidence to state an exact height as fact.
His height should therefore be listed as not publicly confirmed rather than using an unsupported figure.
Bo French Legacy and Public Profile
Richard West “Bo” French has built a public identity around several overlapping parts of his life: Texas energy, investment, ranching, business, Christian faith and Republican politics.
His professional background has given him extensive experience in energy trading and investment, while his family background connects him to the West Texas oil industry.
His political career has been considerably more controversial.
As the 2026 Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, French now occupies a much larger political spotlight than he did during his earlier unsuccessful Texas House campaigns.
Whether discussing his supporters, critics, business career or political controversies, his background is closely tied to the broader debates surrounding Texas energy, immigration, religion, conservative politics and the future direction of the Republican Party in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bo French
What is Bo French’s real name?
Bo French’s full name is Richard West French.
How old is Bo French?
Vote Smart lists his birth year as 1969, which would make him 57 in 2026. Some sources give his birth year as 1968 or 1969.
Where was Bo French born?
He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and was raised in Midland.
Is Bo French married?
French was married to Sheridan French. Public sources indicate they have four children, while more recent reporting indicates that the couple divorced.
What did Bo French study?
He earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Texas Christian University and also completed TCU’s Ranch Management Program.
What is Bo French’s religion?
Bo French identifies as Christian and has been associated with Watermark Community Church.
What does Bo French do for a living?
He is an investor and businessman who has worked in energy trading, investment management and security businesses. He is also a Republican politician and the party’s 2026 nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner.
What is Bo French’s net worth?
His exact personal net worth has not been reliably established through authoritative public sources.
How tall is Bo French?
His exact height has not been reliably disclosed.
Is Bo French running for office in 2026?
Yes. He is the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner in the 2026 election.
Disclaimer
This biography is based on publicly available biographical, campaign, political and financial information concerning Richard West “Bo” French. His birth year is not presented consistently across all sources, and his exact personal net worth and height have not been reliably established. Family information is limited to details publicly documented by reputable sources. Political controversies included in this article are presented as matters of public record and should not be interpreted as independent findings beyond what the cited reporting establishes. Additional details may change as the 2026 election and French’s public career develop.