In an interview on Saturday, Republican Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton expressed his goal of highlighting what he deemed “bizarre” remarks made by his Democratic opponent, James Talarico. Paxton clarified that he believes Talarico is being portrayed as a moderate, but insists his stance on identity politics is far-left.
Paxton pointed out that Talarico’s comments on issues like “six genders” and his support for “transgender children” reflect a disconnect with Texas values. At a recent conference in Washington, D.C., Paxton stated, “Austin has this tradition. He calls it weird. Well, this guy is weird. His position is weird.” He further criticized Talarico for fundraising in San Francisco, suggesting that his true supporters are not Texans.
During a press conference in October 2021, Paxton responded to Talarico’s claim that “God is non-binary.” He expressed his belief that such a statement misinterprets religious texts, noting that, in the Bible, God is represented in a more traditional Trinity perspective.
Talarico has since taken a position against child gender reassignment and has rebranded himself as a “Border Security Democrat.” Despite this, Paxton asserted that Talarico’s shift in tone may not reflect his actual views, indicating that there’s a disconnect between Talarico’s current public statements and his past actions.
Paxton also acknowledged Talarico’s impressive fundraising numbers, noting that he raised $11 million in one month through ActBlue, a Democratic fundraising platform. However, he raised questions about the legitimacy of these funds amid controversy surrounding foreign donations linked to ActBlue.
Paxton is no stranger to significant campaigns. He recently won a primary against incumbent John Cornyn, despite facing a massive funding disadvantage. Cornyn’s positions on gun rights reportedly harmed him in the eyes of some Texas voters, particularly after he supported controversial legislation that expanded background checks.
Looking ahead to the general election, Paxton emphasized the importance of defining Talarico by his own words. He believes that if they can convey Talarico’s real stance effectively, they will succeed in November.
In a broader conversation about the Second Amendment, Paxton mentioned that it serves as a protection not just from external threats, but also from potential government overreach. He underscored that this historical foundation remains significant today.
