Texas Republican Candidates Begin Attacks on Democratic Senate Nominee

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.