Talarico Faces Drag-Queen Flap as Texas Senate Poll Shows 47%-47% Tie With Paxton
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 6
Talarico Faces Drag-Queen Flap as Texas Senate Poll Shows 47%-47% Tie With Paxton
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 6
Summary
A New York Times/Siena poll last week put Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton tied at 47% in Texas, sharpening scrutiny of Talarico as his 2023 praise for Texas drag queens resurfaced.
The remarks came during Talarico’s opposition to Senate Bill 12, a 2023 law restricting sexually oriented performances around minors; he said he wanted to avoid legislation that would hurt drag performers.
Paxton’s campaign and the RNC seized on the comments to cast the 37-year-old state lawmaker as out of step with Texas voters, adding to attacks over his past statements on gender, religion and climate policy.
The drag-show law carries fines of up to $10,000 for businesses, and a federal appeals court allowed it to take effect in February while constitutional challenges continue.
The tight race still cuts both ways: about half of voters called Paxton too extreme, but 53% said the Democratic Party is too far left, a broader drag on Talarico in the open-seat contest.