- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Lone Star Today
By the People, for the People
Texas Dem James Talarico's Past Woke Statements Resurface
Republican groups seize on Talarico's progressive rhetoric as he seeks to win over Texas voters
Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:20pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico's past statements on social media, including claims about there being six biological sexes and that "poverty is violence," are being used against him by Republican groups as he tries to win over voters in the historically red state.
Why it matters
Talarico, a Democrat, is seen as a rising progressive star in Texas, but his past rhetoric is being used by GOP groups to portray him as too extreme for the state. The attacks highlight the challenges Democrats face in winning statewide races in Texas, where the party hasn't won a major election since 1994.
The details
Republican groups like the RNC and NRSC have been unearthing Talarico's past social media posts and speeches, in which he made claims such as "poverty is violence," suggested the Bible approves of abortion, and insisted there are six biological sexes. The GOP is hoping to shatter any perception of Talarico as a moderate and paint him as too progressive for Texas voters.
- In April 2022, Talarico declared that "poverty is violence" and "prison is violence."
- In 2021, Talarico said "in my faith, God is non-binary" and claimed there are more than two biological sexes.
The players
James Talarico
A Texas Democratic Senate candidate whose past progressive rhetoric is being used against him by Republican groups.
Republican National Committee (RNC)
A Republican group that has been highlighting Talarico's past statements to portray him as too extreme for Texas voters.
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC)
A Republican group that has released a deepfake attack ad against Talarico, portraying him as reading his past "extreme statements praising transgenderism, twisting Christian beliefs, and advocating for open borders."
John Cornyn
The incumbent Republican Senator from Texas who is facing a runoff election for the GOP nomination.
Ken Paxton
The former Texas Attorney General who is also facing Cornyn in the Republican Senate runoff.
What they’re saying
“We don't always recognize the ways in which our systems hurt people every day. Poverty is violence. Pollution is violence. And yes, prison is violence.”
— James Talarico, Texas Democratic Senate Candidate
“In my faith, God is non-binary.”
— James Talarico, Texas Democratic Senate Candidate
What’s next
The Republican groups are expected to continue their opposition research campaign against Talarico as he seeks to win over Texas voters in the general election.
The takeaway
Talarico's past progressive rhetoric has given Republican groups ample ammunition to portray him as too extreme for Texas, highlighting the challenges Democrats face in winning statewide races in the historically red state.
