Why is Karl Rove supporting a progressive Jewish candidate in Texas?

GOP strategist Karl Rove endorsed progressive Jewish Texas state Sen. Jon Rosenthal, breaking a 30-year streak of voting Republican, due to the GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Bo French, having a history of antisemitic and racist rhetoric. French posted a poll asking if Jews or Muslims pose a bigger threat, called for public executions of Obama and Schiff, and posted a racist photo of UT students. Rove wrote in the WSJ that the GOP has a growing number of 'Bo Frenches' and cited rising antisemitism in the party.

GOP strategist Karl Rove endorsed progressive Jewish Texas state Sen. Jon Rosenthal, breaking a 30-year streak of voting Republican. The endorsement stems from the GOP nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, Bo French, who has a documented history of antisemitic and racist rhetoric. French posted a social media poll asking whether 'Jews' or 'Muslims' pose a bigger threat to America, called for public executions of former President Barack Obama and Sen. Adam Schiff, and posted a racist photo of University of Texas students of color. Rove wrote in the Wall Street Journal that the GOP has a growing number of 'Bo Frenches' and cited rising antisemitism in the party. Other Republicans, including Sen. John Cornyn and Gov. Greg Abbott, condemned French but stopped short of endorsing Rosenthal. French leads in polling but by a slim margin. The race has become a referendum on the GOP's tolerance for bigotry.