Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R.) responded to Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico after Talarico urged him to condemn Republican Railroad Commissioner nominee Bo French's controversial comments about University of Texas students.
Talarico had thanked Republican Sen. John Cornyn for condemning French's remarks before directing his own criticism at Paxton, writing, "Racism has no place in Texas. @KenPaxtonTX: will you condemn this blatant racism or will you cower to extremists?"
Paxton did not directly address French's post in his response. Instead, he said he condemns racism "in all its forms" and shifted his criticism to Talarico.
"I condemn racism in all its forms, including James Talarico saying white men are America's top terror threat and that he prays to overcome his own 'whiteness,' whatever that means," wrote Paxton.
I condemn racism in all its forms, including James Talarico saying white men are America's top terror threat and that he prays to overcome his own 'whiteness,' whatever that means. Only one person in this race has a history of dividing Texans by race, and it’s James Talarico. I… https://t.co/24Tlp3Rd5U
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) September 13, 2026
"Only one person in this race has a history of dividing Texans by race, and it's James Talarico," said Paxton. "I will continue to focus on uniting our State and bringing together the broadest possible coalition to fight for Texas, our values, and our families."
French, the Republican nominee for Texas Railroad Commissioner, drew criticism after posting a photo of University of Texas students of South Asian descent celebrating at a football game and writing that the image showed how many Americans have been "displaced by foreigners." The post prompted condemnation from Cornyn, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, and other Republicans, as well as Democrats.
Paxton has previously supported French's campaign, saying French would be "a great Railroad Commissioner."
The exchange comes as Paxton and Talarico campaign for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Cornyn.
