Andy Kim says Asian American voters saw the posts as xenophobic and racist
Andy KimUnited States senator speaking to a news outlet
Kim said every Asian American voter he met raised French's posts, describing them as an example of active demonisation, and called for leaders to stand against it.
“Everyone was talking about it. Every single Asian American that I was with yesterday raised this with me. They were saying this is an example of, ‘Not only are they not courting us or engaging with us, but they’re actively demonizing us, actively being xenophobic and racist towards us.’ We need leaders that stand up against this.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
After the University of Texas football team’s September 12, 2026 comeback win over Ohio State, Republican Railroad Commission nominee Bo French posted a still image of apparent South Asian fans and called what it showed a “problem.” He later said social media was exposing Americans being displaced by foreigners and accused UT of prioritizing foreigners over Texans. French and several supporters framed the posts as a legitimate criticism of immigration and admissions policy. Republican and Democratic officials, along with other commentators, condemned the use of the fans’ appearance as racist or xenophobic. Governor Greg Abbott rejected French’s interpretation of the image while reaffirming support for restrictive immigration policies.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Politico report timestamped 5:00 AM ET on September 15, 2026. It states that no Republican explicitly called for French to drop out, that Dan Patrick did not respond to a request for comment, and that two students in the photo told the Dallas Morning News they are US citizens.
Before the quotation
Kim had campaigned with James Talarico in Houston on the Sunday the post appeared.
After the quotation
Politico reported that the episode could have lasting political effects with Texas's Indian American population, which is concentrated around Dallas and Houston.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The conduct under scrutiny is French's posts. Kim relays and endorses the view that they are xenophobic and racist, and calls for leaders to oppose them.
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More from this case
Read the full caseRosenthal calls donations a rejection of French
“The people are rejecting this bold, racist campaign of his.”Read statement
Krishnamoorthi calls French’s UT fan post a xenophobic attack
“The Department of Education seems to be playing dog whistles to Bo French’s tune just days after his xenophobic attack on South Asian students for cheering for their own college football team. South Asian Americans are as American as anyone.”Read statement
French says his UT fan posts were about culture, not race
“It’s fair to say that Texas doesn’t look and feel like it did when I was a kid, and that’s not racist.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Andy Kim says Asian American voters saw the posts as xenophobic and racist". First published: 2026-09-16. Last updated: 2026-09-16. https://disputeindex.com/events/744-kim-said-every-asian-american-voter-he-met