Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico is again under fire after a 2024 interview resurfaced in which he claimed the United States is “backsliding” on democracy and suggested Americans look to Western Europe for ideas. The comments, made on June 2, 2024 during “The Weekend Show” on the MeidasTouch Network, were recorded well before Talarico secured the Democratic nomination.
What Talarico said
“We haven’t lived up to the promise of democracy,” Talarico said in the clip. “And of course, some countries are farther along than others, and sadly, here in America, where that experiment started, we are backsliding. And that troubles me greatly. But all of us still have so much more work to do to create a true democracy.” He added that Americans should look to other nations, “especially in Western Europe,” for inspiration on how to continue the democratic experiment.
Campaign response
When asked about the remarks, spokesperson JT Ennis told Fox News Digital that Talarico “agrees with the majority of Texans that America is the greatest country in the world, Texas is the greatest state in the union, and we should always fight for a more perfect union.” The campaign emphasized his background as a former middle‑school teacher and Presbyterian seminary student, and reiterated his commitment to Texas values.
Political context
The clip has been highlighted by Republicans, including the Lone Star Liberty political action committee, which labeled Talarico an “America‑laster” after he previously called the American flag a “complicated symbol.” Talarico’s campaign has defended those remarks, saying he sees the flag as representing “freedom, opportunity, and hope.” The candidate also faces criticism for past statements about Christianity and gender, which his team says reflect a devout Christian perspective and a critique of misuse of faith.
Election outlook
Talarico will face Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the November general election. The resurfaced interview adds another flashpoint in a race already marked by sharp ideological contrasts between the two candidates.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
