Key facts
- Republicans are attacking Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on personal traits, including his diet and relationship status.
- Talarico's opponent, Ken Paxton, has used nicknames like 'Tofu Talarico' and 'Low-T Talarico'.
- Talarico has stated he eats meat and has a girlfriend, countering claims he is vegan or transitioning.
- The Republican strategy appears to be a referendum on masculinity, targeting a 'manosphere' and 'incel' demographic.
- Talarico's campaign is responding by highlighting Paxton's corruption charges and securities fraud indictment.
- Talarico has previously made comments about God being non-binary and the existence of six genders.
Republicans are employing a strategy in the Texas Senate race to attack Democratic nominee James Talarico on his personal traits, including his diet and relationship status, rather than focusing on policy. Talarico's opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has derided him with nicknames like 'Tofu Talarico' and 'Low-T Talarico,' implying he is not masculine. This approach appears to target a 'manosphere' and 'incel' demographic, aiming to make the race a referendum on masculinity. Talarico has countered these attacks by stating he eats meat and has a girlfriend, and by highlighting Paxton's history of corruption charges, including a securities fraud indictment. The strategy is seen as an example of Republicans focusing on the personal characteristics of younger Democratic candidates in key midterm races, potentially indicating a struggle to present a compelling policy-driven narrative. Talarico, a state lawmaker and former seminarian, has also previously made comments about gender and religion that Republicans are using as fodder, though he has described some of these as 'cringey' in hindsight.