Trending Now - Talarico Clarifies Controversial Remarks on Religion and Gender

WHO:

ABC News - Texas state Rep. James Talarico is the Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate race in Texas.

ABC News - Ken Paxton is the Republican state Attorney General and Talarico's opponent in the Senate race.

ABC News - Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized Talarico as a "far left liberal."

ABC News - Talarico has made overtures to Trump voters and Cornyn voters.

WHAT:

ABC News - Talarico described some of his earlier comments as "cringey."

ABC News - Talarico stated that his comments about "God is non-binary" were "meant to be deliberately provocative."

ABC News - Talarico accused Paxton of using his past comments as a distraction from his "career of corruption."

ABC News - Paxton's first general election ad labels Talarico as "Radical Talarico: too low-T for Texas."

ABC News - Talarico believes he can appeal to independents and Republicans disaffected by Paxton's candidacy.

WHERE:

ABC News - The events are taking place in Texas, specifically in the context of the U.S. Senate race.

WHEN:

ABC News - Talarico's comments about "God is non-binary" were made during a floor debate in the legislature in 2021.

ABC News - Paxton was acquitted in a Republican-driven impeachment trial in 2023.

ABC News - Paxton’s wife filed for divorce last year, citing “biblical grounds.”

WHY:

ABC News - Talarico's comments were intended to distract from what he perceives as a corrupt system represented by Paxton.

ABC News - Republicans have used transgender rights as a major line of attack in the election.

HOW:

ABC News - Talarico is extending an "open hand" to Trump voters to show they have a place in his campaign.

ABC News - The Senate Majority PAC has taken down past press releases and ads attacking Paxton and issued a statement opposing Talarico without mentioning Paxton by name.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 01:35 UTC)

Texas state Representative James Talarico has emerged as the Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate race, where he will face off against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Talarico has acknowledged that some of his earlier comments, including the provocative statement that "God is non-binary," were meant to spark discussion, while he accuses Paxton of using these remarks to distract from his own alleged corruption. As the campaign heats up, Talarico is actively reaching out to Trump voters and independents, believing he can appeal to those disillusioned by Paxton's candidacy, while the Senate Majority PAC has shifted its strategy, distancing itself from direct attacks on Paxton.