Republican leaders have condemned Bo French over past comments he made about minority groups.
Despite that criticism, French appears to be on course for a general election appearance.
The general election bid would see French competing for a role overseeing oil and gas in Texas.
French is running in a GOP runoff against an incumbent candidate for the oil regulator position.
Republican leaders have made their opposition to French clear, citing his remarks about minority groups as disqualifying.
The race has drawn attention given French’s profile as a cultural warrior within the Republican Party.
His advancement in the runoff comes despite the party establishment’s efforts to distance itself from his candidacy.
A victory in the runoff would place French on the ballot in a general election contest for the oil and gas oversight role.
The position he is seeking carries significant responsibility over the regulation of oil and gas operations.
The outcome of the runoff will determine whether French, who has faced sharp criticism from within his own party, advances further in his bid for the regulatory post.
