Talarico reacts to Paxton’s nomination for U.S. Senate
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico shared a video on social media Tuesday night reacting to Texas Gov. Ken Paxton being named his opponent in the November election.
Fox – 26 Houston
Tejano star Bobby Pulido, a Democrat seeking to flip Texas’ 15th Congressional District, supports James Talarico, even if he doesn’t agree with everything the Democratic Senate candidate says.
“Look, do I agree with James Talarico 100 percent? Newsflash: No, it’s okay,” Pulido told USA TODAY.
In an interview with USA TODAY, Pulido said he disagreed with Talarico’s comments that referred to God as “nonbinary,” as well as statements made by the Central Texas lawmaker during a Texas House committee discussion of a bill that would require student-athletes to play sports according to the gender on their birth certificate. In his remarks, Talarico said that “modern science” recognizes “more than one biological sex.”
“There are actually six people. Congressman Hefner, I was honestly surprised,” Talarico said.
Talarico, who is running against Attorney General Ken Paxton in the closely watched Texas Senate race, recently said in an interview with CBS News that he regrets past “offensive” comments.
“Do you think God is non-binary? I don’t use that word. I don’t believe in that,” Pulido said. “Do you think there are six genders? I don’t know where that comes from, but I don’t think so. But the question is, do you think he’d be an infinitely better senator than Ken Paxton?” He replies, “Absolutely,” adding an expletive for emphasis.
Mr. Pulido and Mr. Talarico first endorsed each other at a rally in Weslaco, Texas, in December, before either won the primary and became the Democratic nominee in their respective elections.
Mr. Pulido, a native of the Rio Grande Valley, is seeking to unseat Rep. Monica de la Cruz, the region’s two-term Republican representative who helped flip the region from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican one. Due to recent district redistricting, the “Des Verado” singer hopes to win back heavily Latino areas to Democrats.
Pulido, a Latin Grammy Award-winning singer, first began campaigning in September 2025. Dela Cruz’s campaign gained national attention after he began campaigning as a quinceañera after saying, “This election is not about who I want to perform at my niece’s quinceañera.”
Pulido is not the only Texas candidate embroiled in a close race. Talarico will face off against Paxton in a highly anticipated and competitive race. In recent weeks, Republicans, including Paxton and President Donald Trump, have called Democrats out of line and too radical for the Lone Star State, criticizing their comments on religion and LGBTQ rights and false claims that they are vegan.
“I’m my own man. I believe in what I believe in,” Pulido said. “I think Mr. James is probably a little more to the left than I am on a lot of issues, but I still think he’s a very capable member of Congress and I think he’s a good person.”
“I’ve gotten to know him. He’s a good person. I’m willing to support him over someone who isn’t a good person,” Pulido said.
Contributors: Eduardo Cuevas, Joey Garrison
