James Talarico’s Past Comments Surface Amid Senate Campaign

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, once described parents who refused to accept their children’s gender identity as potentially engaging in harmful behavior. In a 2019 committee hearing, Talarico stated, “I think there are some folks that would think that if you deny your child’s gender identity, that’s incredibly harmful. And whether or not we label it with the term abuse, it’s abusive for sure.”

Talarico’s past remarks have resurfaced, challenging his attempts to present himself as moderate on issues like gender, policing, and border security in Texas, a typically Republican-leaning state.

Talarico’s Backtrack on Past Statements

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico spoke during a campaign rally at the Cailloux Theater on August 31, 2026, in Kerrville, Texas. He is campaigning in a tight race against Republican candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the November 3 general election.

In a video clip, Talarico had been discussing HB 1910, legislation aimed at ensuring parents who refused to affirm their child’s gender identity were not deemed guilty of child abuse in custody decisions. The bill’s text stated that courts should not consider evidence regarding a parent’s acknowledgment or lack of acknowledgment of their child’s gender identity or expression.

“In determining whether to appoint a party as a sole or joint managing conservator of a child, the court may not consider evidence regarding whether the party demonstrates a history or pattern of acknowledging or declining to acknowledge the child’s gender identity or expression,” the bill read.

Talarico opposed this bill, arguing that completely ruling out the possibility of overlap between non-acknowledgment and abuse could be detrimental to vulnerable children in the state. “My concern is ruling it out as not being abuse, I think, is dangerous and could certainly harm some of our most vulnerable kids in the state,” Talarico stated.

Republican Opposition

A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee (RNC), Zach Kraft, criticized Talarico’s views, stating, “Only perverts and pedophiles think about what is in little kids’ pants as much as James Talafreako. He is a truly sick individual for dedicating his life to pushing sex changes on other people’s kids.”

Although the initial version of HB 1910 did not pass, a later and stronger version successfully passed out of the Texas House in May 2025 and became law. Talarico opposed the law, voting against it and supporting a failed attempt to sunset it by 2030. He also endorsed an amendment claiming that “rejecting a child’s gender identity or sexual orientation is abuse” under Texas law.

Talarico’s Defense of Parental Rights

In response to inquiries about the bill and his past statements, Talarico’s campaign emphasized his support for parental rights. JT Ennis, a spokesperson for the campaign, said, “James believes parents have the most important say in decisions about their children, which is why he sponsored a bill to protect parental rights and ensure parents are responsible for the upbringing of their own kids.” He added, “While James has fought for Texas parents and families, Ken Paxton has endangered them by allowing pedophiles back on our streets.”

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital, previously with World Magazine.