Beth Van Duyne Targets James Talarico in New Ad Attacking Socialists

Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) released a new campaign ad targeting socialists across the country, including Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico (D-TX).

With the rise of democratic socialism in recent months, Republicans are leaning into the socialism debate to urge voters not to elect Democrats.

The movement gained national attention when New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D-NY) was elected in 2025, as his policies focus on affordability, including rent freezes and universal child care.

“A socialist mayor in New York City,” Rep. Van Duyne said in the ad, pointing to a clip of Mamdani proclaiming he is a democratic socialist.

Rep. Van Duyne’s campaign efforts thus far have aligned with her Republican colleagues, touting their conservative policy positions, and now denouncing “radicals who want to defund the police and open our borders.”

The ad also included shots of former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MS), a Missouri Democrat and progressive who lost her 2024 primary.

“We tell ourselves, ‘This won’t happen in Texas,’” Rep. Van Duyne said. “The truth is, they’re already here.”

Panning to Talarico discussing economic policy and the political influence of wealthy donors, the ad alludes to him being a socialist like Mamdani and Bush.

Talarico has repeatedly pushed back on claims that he is a democratic socialist.

During a campaign event earlier this month, he said he is a capitalist who supports free enterprise, competition and free markets, but that the system America has now only works for high-earning individuals who can afford to buy political influence.

Three-time incumbent Rep. Van Duyne is running for re-election against Democratic nominee and former White House adviser Kevine Burge (D-TX) to represent Tarrant County. The Republican-leaning district’s boundaries were redrawn in 2025, giving Burge a revised district map to campaign in.

“It’s time to stop the socialists,” Rep. Van Duyne said. “Let’s fight back.”