Texas Senate Candidate Faces Backlash Over 'Mediocre' Comment

James Talarico accused of calling opponent Colin Allred a 'mediocre Black man'

Feb. 2, 2026 at 6:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Texas Senate candidate James Talarico is facing criticism after an influencer claimed he called former opponent Colin Allred a 'mediocre Black man.' Talarico denies the allegation, saying he was only referring to Allred's 'method of campaigning' and not his life or service. The alleged exchange threatens to upend the primary race, which is seeing sharp racial divides among voters.

Why it matters

Talarico's comments, if true, could seriously damage his campaign and alienate Black voters in the state. Allegations of racism or racial insensitivity are especially fraught in Texas politics, where racial dynamics have long played a central role. The fallout from this incident could reshape the trajectory of the Senate race.

The details

According to influencer Candace Thompson, Talarico made the 'mediocre Black man' comment while praising his opponent, Jasmine Crockett. Talarico denies the claim, saying he was only referring to Allred's 'method of campaigning' and not his life or service. Thompson says she has no recording of the conversation but provided evidence of her contact with Talarico's campaign. Allred has since fired back, accusing Talarico of projecting his own insecurities onto a Black man.

  • The alleged exchange took place in early February 2026.

The players

James Talarico

A Texas Senate candidate facing backlash over his alleged comments about a former opponent.

Colin Allred

A former opponent of Talarico's who Talarico allegedly called a 'mediocre Black man.'

Jasmine Crockett

A Texas congressional candidate who Talarico was allegedly praising when he made the controversial comments.

Candace Thompson

An influencer who claims to have heard Talarico make the 'mediocre Black man' comment.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“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 Senate Candidate

“James, if you want to compliment Black women, just do it. Just do it. Don't do it while also tearing down a Black man. When you make an accusation, you often have a bit of confession in it. Maybe you use the word mediocre because there was something creeping into your mind about yourself.”

— Colin Allred, Former Opponent of Talarico

What’s next

The fallout from this incident could reshape the trajectory of the Texas Senate race, as Talarico works to repair his relationship with Black voters in the state.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the delicate nature of racial dynamics in Texas politics and the potential consequences for candidates who are perceived as insensitive or biased. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of carefully considering one's words and their potential impact, especially when discussing issues of race.