Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico is facing renewed scrutiny over past statements, including remarks from a 2020 Zoom call where he described capitalism as an "oppressive system" that needed dismantling and predicted that the state's fossil fuel industry was "not gonna last."
The comments, first reported by CNN and amplified by outside political groups supporting Republican nominee Ken Paxton, have emerged as Talarico challenges the Texas Attorney General in a race that could influence control of the U.S. Senate.
On the 2020 call with Sierra Club activists, Talarico linked climate change, white supremacy, and capitalism, stating, "I think only understanding the ways that all three of those oppressive systems work together are we going to be able to begin the process of dismantling them." He also told attendees that Texas's leadership in oil and gas was comparable to being the leader in cassette tapes in the 1980s, adding, "That industry is not gonna last."
Talarico's campaign defended his current position, with spokesperson J.T. Ennis stating, "James is a proud capitalist and agrees with the majority of Texans that racism, natural disasters, and a billionaire-controlled economy are all problems we need to address." Ennis also noted that Talarico has "taken many votes" in support of the oil industry and that his campaign website aims to ensure Texas "maintains, but extends" its energy dominance.
The campaign also pointed to Paxton's past controversial remarks, including his comments that the Uvalde school shooting was "God’s plan" and that Texas’ abortion ban benefits interstate commerce. Talarico's campaign has also highlighted his prior statements on social issues, such as his suggestions that "God is nonbinary," that he "hates Christianity," and that "there are many more than two biological sexes; in fact, there are six."
Talarico, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate primary. Paxton, an ally of former President Donald Trump, secured the GOP nomination after defeating Sen. John Cornyn in a primary runoff.
The race in Texas, a traditionally Republican stronghold, is seen as a key battleground that could determine the Senate majority. Democrats have not won a Senate election in the state in nearly four decades. However, Talarico's campaign views Paxton as vulnerable due to numerous scandals and legal issues he has faced over the past decade, as well as a contentious divorce.
Recent polling indicates a close contest. A late July Fox News poll showed Talarico with a slight 51%-48% lead over Paxton among registered voters. The poll also suggested that Paxton had not fully unified the Republican base, with 89% of Republicans supporting him compared to 98% of Democrats supporting Talarico. The race has been shifted to a "toss-up" in the latest Fox News Power Rankings.