Texas Democrat Denies Calling Colleague a 'Mediocre Black Man'

Rep. James Talarico says comments were 'mischaracterization of a private conversation'

Feb. 2, 2026 at 7:47pm

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Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) has denied accusations that he called fellow Texas Democrat and former congressman Colin Allred a 'mediocre Black man' in a private conversation. Talarico said his comments were about Allred's 'method of campaigning' but not his 'life and service', and that he would 'never attack him on the basis of race'.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights tensions within the Texas Democratic party as they head into primary elections, with Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett competing for a state Senate seat. Allred, a former NFL player who served in Congress, had urged his supporters to back Crockett after the alleged comments about him.

The details

The controversy began with a social media post by Allred, who shared a video excoriating Talarico for allegedly calling him a 'mediocre Black man' in a conversation about Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). Both Talarico and Crockett are running in the Democratic primary for a Texas state Senate seat. In his statement, Talarico said he had described Allred's 'method of campaigning as mediocre' but not his 'life and service', and that he would 'never attack him on the basis of race'.

  • The dispute began on February 3, 2026 with Allred's social media post.

The players

James Talarico

A Texas state representative who is running in the Democratic primary for a state Senate seat.

Colin Allred

A former NFL player who served in Congress for six years before unsuccessfully challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in the 2024 election.

Jasmine Crockett

A Texas state representative who is also running in the Democratic primary for a state Senate seat.

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What they’re saying

“This is a mischaracterization of a private conversation. In my praise of Congresswoman Crockett, I described Congressman Allred's method of campaigning as mediocre — but his life and service are not. I would never attack him on the basis of race.”

— James Talarico, Texas state representative

“I understand that James Talarico had the temerity and the audacity to say to a Black woman that he had signed up to run against a mediocre Black man—meaning me—not a formidable, intelligent Black woman, meaning Jasmine Crockett.”

— Colin Allred, Former congressman

What’s next

The dispute is likely to continue as the Texas Democratic primary race heats up, with both Talarico and Crockett vying for the state Senate seat.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and divisions within the Texas Democratic party as they head into primary elections, with candidates competing for the same seats and making accusations against each other. It also underscores the sensitivity around issues of race and representation in politics.