Republicans Criticize Texas Senate Candidate Talarico Over Drag Queen Remark
GOP figures accuse the Democratic hopeful of being too radical after he quickly named his favorite drag performer.
Republicans have criticized Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico after he was filmed quickly naming his favorite drag queen, with opponents accusing him of being out of touch with the state's values. The incident occurred at a campaign event when a man asked Talarico to name his favorite drag performer. Talarico responded almost instantaneously, "Oh my gosh, probably Alyssa Edwards."
The clip was shared by the Republican National Committee's RNC Research X account, drawing swift condemnation from Republican figures. The National Republican Senatorial Committee stated, "James Talarico wants to drag down Texas," alongside a 2023 quote from Talarico calling the Lone Star State home to "some of the best drag queens in the nation."
Senator JD Vance shared a meme of his own side-eye glance from a past debate in response to the video. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico's opponent, tweeted, "What normal person can name their favorite drag queen this quickly? When James Talarico isn’t advocating for children to dress in drag, he’s watching drag performances and saying that Texas produces the best drag queens." He also referred to Talarico as "too weird and too radical for Texas."
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller used a derogatory nickname previously employed by President Trump, calling Talarico "Talafreako" and a "deeply sick and disturbed individual." Representative Brandon Gill of Texas also commented, stating, "It’s completely bizarre for any ‘man’ to be able to instantly name their ‘favorite drag queen’ let alone the name of any drag queen at all."
Alyssa Edwards, the drag performer Talarico named, responded on X, formerly Twitter, thanking the candidate. "Your favorite politician’s favorite Drag Queen," Edwards posted. "Thank you [James Talarico] for recognizing that the arts have a purpose and a home right here in the Lone Star State. Matthew 7:1 #ProudTexan"
Talarico's campaign had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the controversy. Talarico has previously expressed support for drag performers in Texas.