Overview
- Talarico’s 2023 podcast remark praising trans children went viral this week and drew condemnations from Republicans including Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Tom Cotton, and Rep. Brandon Gill.
- His campaign dismissed the pile-on as politically motivated, with spokesperson JT Ennis calling the criticisms “stale attacks” as the candidate seeks to pivot to broader issues.
- In a recent MS NOW appearance, Talarico argued media focus on trans athletes distracts from costs of living and said billionaires, not trans or undocumented people, drive the nation’s problems.
- Conservative outlets and influencers highlighted Talarico’s past statements on religion, gender, and abortion, alongside his record opposing restrictions on gender-affirming care and trans participation in sports.
- Townhall reported that Talarico’s campaign removed its online endorsements page after the primary, as the general-election field waits on a Cornyn–Paxton GOP runoff and a pending Trump endorsement.