Women's sports advocate Riley Gaines has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his U.S. Senate race against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Gaines cited the candidates' differing records on transgender athletes and medical treatments for minors as the basis for her endorsement.
"Texas needs a senator who will fight without apology for women, for kids, and for the health of every American family," Gaines said in a statement. "Ken Paxton is that leader, and I am proud to support and endorse him."
Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, became a prominent advocate for preserving female-only athletic divisions after competing in the 2022 NCAA championships. She praised Paxton as a "relentless fighter for the protection of children," highlighting his legal action against the NCAA. Paxton sued the NCAA in December 2024, accusing the organization of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by marketing competitions as women’s events while allowing transgender athletes to participate. The lawsuit sought to prevent transgender athletes from competing in NCAA women’s events involving Texas teams or taking place in the state. The NCAA later changed its policy in February 2025 to restrict women’s competition to athletes who were female at birth.
Paxton has also filed lawsuits against doctors he accused of violating a Texas law prohibiting certain transition-related treatments for minors.
Gaines contrasted Paxton’s record with that of Talarico, who opposed legislation requiring Texas public-school athletes to compete on teams corresponding with their biological sex. "His opponent, James Talarico, is a far-left extremist who has refused to accept biological reality," Gaines said. "He has repeatedly put women’s safety, privacy, and opportunities in danger by championing a radical agenda that forces biological males into girls’ and women’s sports, locker rooms, and private spaces."
During debate over a school sports bill in 2021, Talarico argued that biological sex could be "a spectrum" and invoked his Christian faith while defending transgender children. He later said he still believes transgender people deserve "dignity and equality," although he would express some of his earlier comments differently today. The Texas Tribune reported that Talarico opposed the legislation that ultimately became Texas’ school sports law. Talarico has separately said he opposes gender-reassignment surgery for minors, though his campaign has argued that Republican attacks distort his position.
Paxton defeated longtime Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican runoff in May. Talarico defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary. The two will face each other in the Nov. 3 general election.