A Republican strategist's attempt to discredit Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico has spectacularly backfired, drawing condemnation even from fellow conservatives.
The Failed Attack
James Talarico, a 36-year-old Christian minister and Texas State Representative, is currently leading Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton 44-42 in the polls, according to Real Clear Politics. The GOP is eager to prevent him from winning the Senate seat in November.
On Wednesday, party strategist Bobby LaValley thought he had found damaging material when he shared a 2012 Facebook post from Talarico, who was then a schoolteacher in San Antonio. The post featured a picture of the University of Texas with the caption: "Looking forward to spending my birthday with the 6th grade boys at UT tomorrow!" The context was a field trip with his students.
LaValley twisted the post, writing: "No teacher, let alone a U.S. Senate candidate, should ever post that." He shared it on social media, hoping to tarnish Talarico's reputation.
Backlash and Criticism
The response was overwhelmingly negative. Even those who might agree with LaValley's politics found the attack weak and inappropriate.
- Bethel McGrew commented: "Look I don't like Talarico and I think he probably is gay but this is silly."
- Robert Elisberg noted: "Putting aside that this was just a teacher taking his students on a field trip and shows how desperate YOU and MAGOPs are ---- what this also does is simply draw attention to Trump and his connection with Jeffrey Epstein."
- Pat Dennis asked: "genuinely confused what the hit is here?"
- Lauren remarked: "I understand it's confusing to the party of the Epstein class that despises education, but it's actually fine for a teacher to take his students on a field trip to a local university. You're the sick one."
- Becca stated: "If this is the type of oppo they have on Talarico — I feel even better about our chances to replace Cornyn with a fabulous senator who actually cares about our public schools, the rule of law, and the people of Texas!"
- Bob in Houston added: "This just reinforces that he really was a teacher who built community. This probably will help Talarico be identifiable for parents whose kids have a Class Twitter Feed."
Extreme Reactions from MAGA Crowd
This is not the first extreme reaction to Talarico's campaign. In March, evangelical pastor Brooks Potteiger, reportedly a close spiritual adviser to Pete Hegseth, called Talarico "a wolf," "a demon," and "a snake" on a podcast, and said he prays that "God kills him."
The failed attack has only highlighted Talarico's background as a dedicated teacher and may bolster his campaign.
