President Donald Trump used his X account on Saturday to reaffirm his full endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate and to denounce Democratic State Rep. James Talarico as the “ANTITHESIS of Texas Values.” Trump’s post, which called Talarico a “Radical Left lunatic,” highlighted the candidate’s controversial remarks on abortion and pediatric gender treatments.
Trump’s endorsement and criticism
In the same message, Trump praised Paxton as “the Greatest Attorney General in the History of Texas” and promised that Paxton will “never let you down.” By contrast, Trump labeled Talarico a “TalaFREAKO” and warned voters that the Democrat’s platform threatens traditional family and faith values.
Talarico’s statements under fire
During a CNN and Jubilee Media town hall in Fort Worth, Rep. Talarico claimed Texas’s abortion ban covers every circumstance, even when a mother’s life is at risk. The claim is inaccurate; Texas law permits a physician to perform an abortion when, in the doctor’s reasonable medical judgment, a life‑threatening condition exists or a major bodily function is seriously impaired. The statute also allows doctors to act before the risk becomes imminent.
Talarico further alleged that women are dying from sepsis in emergency‑room parking lots because doctors fear providing lifesaving care. While the law includes a medical exception, the claim that the ban directly causes such deaths was not substantiated in the source.
Policy positions and religious controversy
Talarico’s campaign platform calls for federal legislation to codify Roe v. Wade and to protect contraception and in‑vitro fertilization. He told CNN that “the Bible is silent on the issue of abortion” and has previously cited the story of Mary’s pregnancy to defend his pro‑abortion stance.
In a 2022 sermon at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, Talarico said, “Our trans community needs abortion care too,” linking abortion to pediatric gender treatments. He also described God as “nonbinary” in a 2021 speech opposing school sports restrictions based on biological sex, a characterization that drew sharp criticism from local pastors.
Faith leaders push back
First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress told Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that Talarico “is not a Christian.” Lakepointe Church Senior Pastor Josh Howerton called Talarico a “master deceiver” who selectively edits Scripture to serve a political agenda, warning that such deception could lead Texas Christians astray.
Legislative record on pediatric gender treatments
In May 2023, Talarico voted against Senate Bill 14, which prohibited pediatric gender treatments—including hormone therapy and surgery—for minors seeking to change their biological sex. He later defended his vote by saying he trusts parents and doctors, not politicians, to make decisions for children.
Election timeline
Early voting for the November 3 Senate election begins October 19 and runs through October 30. Voters are urged to consider the stark contrast between Paxton’s proven record defending Texas values and Talarico’s controversial positions on abortion and pediatric gender treatments.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
