James Talarico, the Democratic nominee in Texas' Senate race, is defending himself after remarks resurfaced in which he praised Texas drag performers as "some of the best" in the country. The comments were made in May 2023 while he was criticizing legislation that would ban certain performances on public property and in the presence of minors.
Talarico, a 37-year-old state legislator and former middle school teacher, voted "present" on Senate Bill 12 at the urging of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus after language explicitly referencing drag performers was stripped from an earlier version. He argued the revised bill would better protect drag performances.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican critics have seized on Talarico's comments as evidence of views they characterize as extreme. The campaign of GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton called the remarks "out-of-touch" and inconsistent with Texas values.
"This is just one more addition to the long list of out-of-touch, extreme views James Talarico holds that are out of step with the people of Texas," said Madison Cercy, a Paxton campaign spokesperson.
The Republican National Committee, which is working to retain the open seat being vacated by retiring Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued sharp criticism.
"He needs to stay away from kids and stop forcing his creepy trans-for-all agenda on Texas," said RNC spokesman Zach Kraft.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive groups have defended Talarico's remarks, framing them as a defense of artistic expression and LGBTQ+ community rights. Supporters note that his comments came during advocacy for a community he said he wanted to protect from legislation they viewed as discriminatory.
"Texas produces some of the best drag queens in the nation," Talarico told The Texas Newsroom at the time. "I didn't want any legislation to target them or hurt that industry."
LGBTQ+ advocates point out that the law remains tied up in legal challenges, with federal courts still weighing its constitutionality amid First Amendment concerns raised by civil liberties organizations.
What the Numbers Show
A New York Times/Siena College survey released last week found Talarico and Paxton tied at 47% among likely Texas voters. The poll of approximately 1,000 respondents was conducted in early February.
According to the survey, approximately half of respondents said Paxton is too extreme, while 43% viewed Talarico that way. On character metrics, less than four in 10 respondents believed Paxton has good character or appropriate morals, compared to 56% and 51%, respectively, for Talarico.
However, the poll indicated potential challenges for the Democrat: 53% of respondents said they view the Democratic Party as too far to the left.
Senate Bill 12, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June 2023, allows fines of up to $10,000 for businesses hosting prohibited performances. In February, a federal appeals court allowed the law to take effect while legal challenges continue.
The Bottom Line
The resurfaced comments add another layer to what polling shows is an extremely competitive race. Both candidates are working to define themselves and their opponent in the months leading up to November's election.
Talarico has faced previous scrutiny over other remarks, including past statements on Christianity and gender issues that have drawn Republican criticism. The Paxton campaign has worked to characterize Talarico as out of step with mainstream Texas voters, while Talarico's camp has emphasized his background as an educator and his polling strength on character metrics.
The race is expected to be among the most closely watched Senate contests of 2026, as control of the chamber could hinge on outcomes in competitive states like Texas.