Texas state lawmaker James Talarico’s controversial racial tweets are drawing renewed attention after he defeated Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. The victory positioned the Presbyterian seminarian as a leading Democratic contender in Texas, with some supporters suggesting he could help “Turn Texas Blue.” At the same time, a wave of older social media posts is circulating widely online.
Several posts highlight Talarico’s past statements on race, politics, and education policy. In one widely shared message from 2020, Talarico wrote, “White skin gives me and every white American immunity from the virus. But we spread it wherever we go—through our words, our actions, and our systems.” He added, “We don’t have to be showing symptoms—like a white hood or a Confederate flag—to be contagious.”
Other posts focus on social and political issues in Texas. In a 2022 message, Talarico wrote, “Hope is hard to find right now. Things are bad—especially here in Texas. Roe, Uvalde, and relentless attacks on trans kids, migrant families, and working Texans.” He continued, “But #Pride shows us how to shine in the dark.”
Talarico has also used social media to highlight his legislative agenda in the Texas House. In a 2021 post, he wrote, “I’m co-authoring legislation to explicitly teach ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ in our schools.” He added that he “filed House Bill 4111 which would require school districts over a certain size to hire a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.”
The resurfaced posts quickly spread across social media platforms following the primary result. Political observers note that past online statements often face renewed scrutiny once candidates move onto a larger statewide stage.
Talarico’s campaign now shifts toward the general election, where the race is expected to draw national attention and significant spending from both parties.
