James Talarico Says He ‘Missed the Mark’ as He Walks Back Past Statements on Gender
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is distancing himself from several controversial statements he made in the past, acknowledging that he “missed the mark” as he campaigns against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in November.
During a Fox News interview, Talarico said he supports a national ban on gender-related surgeries for minors. He defended his previous vote against Texas Senate Bill 14, which restricted surgeries, puberty blockers and certain hormone treatments for minors, by arguing that the legislation was too broad and noting that he supported an unsuccessful amendment aimed specifically at surgeries.
Talarico also said he would oppose transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports when their participation creates concerns about safety or fairness. The position differs from votes he cast as a Texas lawmaker against legislation restricting transgender students from participating on teams inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth.
The Democrat also addressed comments he made in 2021 suggesting there were six genders or sexes. Talarico now says there are two sexes, while noting that a small percentage of people have genetic variations, and acknowledged that he had not expressed his position correctly in the past.
“I’ve missed the mark on some of my past statements,” Talarico said during the interview. He argued that Republicans were focusing on his previous remarks rather than economic issues such as the cost of fuel and other everyday expenses.
Talarico also revisited his past statement that “God is nonbinary,” which he made during a 2021 debate in the Texas Legislature. He acknowledged deliberately using provocative language but said his intended argument was that human categories cannot adequately define God.
On taxes, Talarico said Texas should not have a state income tax. He previously voted against a 2019 measure proposing a constitutional prohibition on a state income tax, though at the time he characterized the proposal as unnecessary because Texas already did not impose such a tax. Texas voters ultimately approved the constitutional amendment.
Talarico did not moderate his position on changes to the U.S. Supreme Court. He said he supports binding ethics rules and term limits for justices and is open to discussing an expansion of the number of seats on the court.
The shifts are receiving increased attention as Talarico competes with Paxton for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat. Republicans have made Talarico’s previous statements and legislative record on transgender issues a prominent part of their campaign against him, while Talarico has sought to center his campaign on affordability and the cost of living.