{"id":2576108,"date":"2026-03-04T15:30:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T20:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-rushes-to-define-talarico-as-cornyn-paxton-race-goes-into-overtime\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T15:32:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T20:32:17","slug":"gop-rushes-to-define-talarico-as-cornyn-paxton-race-goes-into-overtime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-rushes-to-define-talarico-as-cornyn-paxton-race-goes-into-overtime\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP rushes to define Talarico as Cornyn-Paxton race goes into overtime"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgop-rushes-to-define-talarico-as-cornyn-paxton-race-goes-into-overtime%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2576108&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/greta-thunberg-arrested-after-caught-supporting-literal-anti-jewish-terrorist-org-this-is-the-kid-the-left-platformed-as-a-god-for-years\/\" title=\"Greta Thunberg Arrested After Caught Supporting Literal Anti-Jewish Terrorist Org - This Is the Kid the Left Platformed as a God for Years\">piece reports<\/a> that Republicans are quickly trying to cast Texas Democratic state Rep. James Talarico as a \u201cradical\u201d as the Texas Senate race heads into a runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.Talarico\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/progressive-democrats-behind-ocasio-cortez-win-looking-to-primary-joe-manchin-kyrsten-sinema\/\" title=\"Progressive Democrats Behind Ocasio-Cortez Win Looking To Primary Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema\">primary victory<\/a> over Jasmine Crockett removes the firebrand Democratic candidate from the race, and GOP operatives are resurfacing past remarks to argue he is out of step with Texas voters, including his calls for a border \u201cwelcome mat,\u201d a remark about God being nonbinary, and his stance on abortion. Party strategists say Talarico could be a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >stronger general-election opponent<\/a> than Crockett,prompting discussions about securing President Trump\u2019s endorsement for Cornyn to blunt his appeal. Talarico\u2019s supporters counter that the attacks signal he is a credible threat to Republicans and highlight his civility and Christian background as a unifying message. The article also outlines the broader Texas Senate landscape, noting that Cornyn is facing a runoff with Paxton and that party officials believe turnout and the ability to attract a broad cross-section of voters will be pivotal.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">GOP rushes to define Talarico as Cornyn-Paxton race goes into overtime: &lsquo;Trump-hating radical&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2522725\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>National Republicans are making an early push to label state Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\">James Talarico<\/a> as a &ldquo;radical&rdquo; after he won the Democratic nomination for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\">Texas&rsquo;<\/a> hotly contested Senate race on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n<p>Talarico&rsquo;s victory deprives the GOP of the firebrand candidacy of Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jasmine-crockett\/\">Jasmine Crockett<\/a> (D-TX), who suffered a 6-point loss to Talarico in the Democratic primary. She made her name in the House as an unabashed progressive whose combative style of politics drew comparisons to ex-Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4480536\/trump-teases-texas-senate-endorsement-reports-john-cornyn\/\">Trump teases Texas Senate endorsement moments after report says he&#8217;s picking John Cornyn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4480277\/kamala-harris-offers-james-talarico-full-support-texas-primary\/\">Harris offers James Talarico &#8216;full support&#8217; after backing the wrong horse in Texas primary<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4480190\/minnesota-attorney-general-says-was-duped-feeding-future\/\">Minnesota attorney general says he was duped by Feeding Our Future fraudsters: &#8216;They lied to everyone&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>But Republicans have begun to draw on a trove of statements Talarico made across his political career, betting that he, too, can be painted as out of touch with Texas&rsquo;s right-leaning voting electorate.<\/p>\n<p>In the hours after his primary victory, Republicans began <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/realbrandongill\/status\/2029031304126255588?s=46&amp;t=oYTIYwEqmPpaQCOEPM8xZA\">circulating clips<\/a> that suggest the sort of advertisements they will cut in the lead-up to November. At least one, his call for the United States to roll out a &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SteveGuest\/status\/2029047886210842675?s=20\">welcome mat<\/a>&rdquo; at the border, was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TeamTalaricoHQ\/status\/2015161265564397679?s=20\">deceptively edited<\/a>. Others revived his statement that &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jamestalarico\/status\/1449100589380538377?s=20\">God is nonbinary<\/a>&rdquo; and his suggestion that the Bible <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2025\/09\/16\/james-talarico-texas-senate-democrat-religion-christianity-viral\/\">sanctions<\/a> abortion.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;James Talarico is an open borders, Trump-hating radical who can never be allowed to set foot in the U.S. Senate,&rdquo; Joanna Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Alex Latcham, executive director of the Senate Leadership Fund, called Talarico a &ldquo;Far-Left liberal who is wildly out of step with Lone Star voters.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>His statement <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/senateleadershipfund.org\/press-releases\/slf-statement-on-texas-democratic-nominee-james-talarico\/\">linked<\/a> to a mix of X posts, news articles, and votes he took serving as a state representative in the Texas House, focusing in part on his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/latest-news\/james-talarico-defends-illegal-immigrants-saying-they-keep-social-security-solvent-and-pick-our-fruit\/\">defense<\/a> of illegal immigrant labor.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4479256\/texas-gop-senate-primary-cornyn-paxton-hunt\/\"><strong>JOHN CORNYN TO FACE KEN PAXTON IN COSTLY SENATE RUNOFF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The messaging blitz won&rsquo;t reach full swing until Republicans figure out their nominee for the Texas Senate seat. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), a four-term incumbent, will spend the next 12 weeks fending off a primary challenge from Attorney General Ken Paxton after neither garnered enough support on Tuesday to avoid a runoff.<\/p>\n<p>But Republicans also believe they cannot allow Talarico&rsquo;s campaign to go unchallenged due to the intraparty fight. They are highlighting polling showing him as a stronger competitor than Crockett, part of an attempt to convince President Donald Trump to get off the sidelines and endorse Cornyn. On Wednesday, Trump said he would be <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/116172264831357045\">issuing an endorsement<\/a> in the race &ldquo;soon.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, a spokesman for Talarico suggested the attacks were evidence that his campaign is a threat to Republicans in November.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;John Cornyn, Ken Paxton and the billionaires who prop them up are scared of James Talarico for good reason: our campaign is building a movement poised to change the politics of this state and take power back for working people,&rdquo; spokesman JT Ennis said. &ldquo;While they lob stale attacks, we are uniting the people of Texas to win in November.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Talarico&rsquo;s allies are also circulating Cornyn&rsquo;s January description of him as &ldquo;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.semafor.com\/article\/01\/20\/2026\/talarico-makes-rounds-with-democrats-as-senate-primaries-near\">dangerous<\/a>&rdquo; due to his fundraising prowess and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearpolling.com\/elections\/senate\/2026\/texas\">position in the polls<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4479701\/james-talarico-bests-jasmine-crockett-texas-senate-primary\/\"><strong>JAMES TALARICO BESTS JASMINE CROCKETT IN TEXAS SENATE PRIMARY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Talarico has not shied away from progressive views despite running in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-the-biden-administration-is-politicizing-the-military\/\" title=\"How the Biden Administration is Politicizing the Military\">socially conservative state<\/a> that Trump won by 14 points in 2024. But he has fused those views with a message that emphasizes civility and his Christian background. Talarico, 36, is a Presbyterian seminarian.<\/p>\n<p>Past Democratic attempts to appeal to conservative and independent voters have fallen flat in Texas, where Republicans have held every statewide office since 1994. But Republicans are mindful of the high turnout Democrats witnessed on Tuesday, describing the political environment as a threat to Republicans&rsquo; chances of holding the seat.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We need to nominate somebody who attracts voters all across the state of Texas, and that&rsquo;s John Cornyn,&rdquo; said Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the No. 2 Senate Republican. &ldquo;So I&rsquo;m 100% behind John Cornyn in the runoff.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GOP frames Talarico as radical in Texas race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2576109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26063241680108-e1772654123340.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[75083,6571,6203,68501,3694],"class_list":["post-2576108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-cornyn-paxton","tag-elections","tag-gop","tag-talarico","tag-texas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26063241680108-e1772654123340.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2576108"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2576112,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2576108\/revisions\/2576112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2576109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2576108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2576108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2576108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}