Talarico says he 'missed the mark' as he backtracks on controversial woke statements

James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Texas’s open U.S. Senate seat, used a Dallas food‑drive event on Tuesday to clarify his positions on gender‑related policy and to distance himself from earlier statements that critics said were provocative or inaccurate.

At the event, Talarico said he would vote in favor of a national ban on gender‑changing surgery for minors and that he opposes men who identify as transgender from competing in women’s sports if he believes it endangers safety or fairness. “Every sport has to be safe and fair,” he told the crowd. “As a former public‑school teacher, I care a lot about our student athletes. I care a lot about our students. So I will oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it risks safety or fairness.”

The Texas Senate race is one of the most watched contests of the 2024 election cycle. The seat is held by Republican Senator John Cornyn, who is up for re‑election. A defeat for the GOP would help President Donald Trump’s agenda by tightening the party’s control of the Senate. Talarico’s opponent is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who has faced a number of high‑profile investigations.

Talarico’s comments also address a controversy that emerged after he made remarks in 2021 on the Texas House floor about “God is non‑binary.” He said he was being provocative and that the statement was meant to illustrate that human categories do not define a deity. In the interview he admitted, “I was being provocative with that statement. I get that.” He added that the comments are being taken out of context and used to distract from Paxton’s alleged corruption.

During the same interview Talarico also took stock of a 2023 vote he cast in the Texas House. In 2023, as a state legislator, he voted against Senate Bill 14, a bill that would have restricted certain gender‑changing surgeries, puberty blockers, and hormone treatments for minors. He said he had supported 18 Democratic amendments to the bill that would have narrowed its scope, but that none of the amendments passed. “I was trying to use amendments to narrow the focus of the bill so that it does exactly what we intend it to do,” he explained. “Unfortunately the amendment I supported was unsuccessful.”

The candidate also reiterated his stance on the Supreme Court. He said he would support reforms to the federal judiciary, including “binding codes of conduct for our justices, term limits, and an open discussion about expanding the number of justices.” He described the Court as “infected” with corruption and said that he would push for an overhaul if elected.

In addition to policy positions, Talarico highlighted the economic issues that, he says, dominate voters’ lives across the state. “People are struggling to survive in this economy. They are struggling to afford the basics: groceries, gas, utilities, health care,” he told reporters. “That’s what I’m going to focus on from now until Election Day.” He reiterated his opposition to a state income tax, citing a 2019 voter‑approved measure that bans a permanent state income tax.

The interview came amid a flurry of activity in Dallas. The Democratic campaign was holding the food‑drive event on the same night that the first-ever GOP Mid‑term convention opened in downtown Dallas, a few blocks away.

Talarico’s comments contrast with statements he made while serving in the Texas House. In 2021 he had opposed Senate Bill 29, a bill that would have required public‑school athletes to compete according to the biological sex listed on their birth certificate, labeling the issue a “manufactured problem.” He had also voted against House Bill 25, which would have made similar restrictions law.

While the candidate’s statements about gender have drawn criticism, Talarico has tried to frame them as part of a broader effort to protect “fairness” and “safety” in sports, while also asserting his support for conservative positions on other issues. He has repeatedly said he will work to keep his campaign focused on affordability and economic issues for Texas voters.

As the Senate race enters its final months, the debate over gender policy, Supreme Court reform, and economic priorities will continue to shape the conversation between Talarico and his Republican opponent, Ken Paxton. The outcome of the election will be a key determinant of whether the GOP retains its majority in the U.S. Senate.