politics
Texas Republican Candidates Begin Attacks on Democratic Senate Nominee
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton used a campaign rally to introduce nicknames for Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. The remarks followed President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Paxton in the Republican primary runoff.
May 25, 5:00 AM·1m read1 source
fortune.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Paxton invited the crowd to suggest nicknames, which included “Tofu Talarico,” “Tala-freak-o,” and “six-gender Jimmy.” The comments focused on Talarico’s diet and a 2021 statement about biological sex. Paxton said Talarico would never eat Texas barbecue and that no U.S. senator from the state had been a vegetarian.
and Primary Context President Donald
Trump endorsed Paxton earlier the same day and called Talarico a “weird candidate” and “vegan.” A pro-Paxton group incorporated the remarks into an advertisement. Trump’s endorsement positioned Paxton as the front-runner.
” A pro-Talarico super PAC said it would expose corruption by the eventual Republican nominee. Talarico has met with Black community leaders and delivered the commencement address at Paul Quinn College since winning his March 3 primary. He has also endorsed suspending the federal gas tax.
