Republicans accused James Talarico of wanting to “drag down Texas” Tuesday after the Democratic Senate hopeful was filmed quickly naming his favorite drag queen.
Talarico, who has long praised and defended Texas drag performers, was asked by a man during a campaign event to name his favorite and, within a second, responded, “Oh my gosh, probably Alyssa Edwards.”
The clip, shared by the Republican National Committee’s RNC Research X account on Monday, quickly went viral and raised Republican eyebrows.
“James Talarico wants to drag down Texas,” the National Republican Senatorial Committee posted on social media, including a 2023 quote from the candidate arguing that the Lone Star State produces “some of the best drag queens in the nation.”
Vice President JD Vance weighed in by sharing an image of the knowing, side-eye glance he gave the television audience during his 2024 vice presidential debate against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, which has since become a popular meme.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico’s opponent in the Senate race, argued the Democratic candidate’s quick response suggests he’s “too weird and too radical for Texas.”
“What normal person can name their favorite drag queen this quickly?” Paxton tweeted. “When James Talarico isn’t advocating for children to dress in drag, he’s watching drag performances and saying that Texas produces the best drag queens.”
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller used the nickname President Trump has recently deployed to disparage Talarico in an X post slamming the Texas Democrat.
“Talafreako is a deeply sick and disturbed individual,” Miller wrote.
“It’s completely bizarre for any ‘man’ to be able to instantly name their ‘favorite drag queen’ let alone the name of any drag queen at all,” Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) argued on X.
Talarico’s favorite drag queen responded to the controversy by thanking the Senate hopeful for his support.
“Your favorite politician’s favorite Drag Queen,” Edwards posted on X. “Thank you [James Talarico] for recognizing that the arts have a purpose and a home right here in the Lone Star State. Matthew 7:1 #ProudTexan”
Talarico’s campaign did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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