Vice President Vance took direct aim at Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico during the Republican National Committee's midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday, using the state lawmaker's home turf to sharpen the GOP's attack lines ahead of November.
Talarico, an Austin-based state representative, is challenging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the seat held by retiring GOP Senator John Cornyn. The race has drawn national attention, with both parties pouring resources into Texas as they vie for control of the Senate.
In his address to the RNC crowd, Vance zeroed in on Talarico's social positions, particularly his comments on gender and religion. "But this Talarico guy, he will not shut up about how there are six genders," Vance said. "He will not shut up about how, quote, 'God is non-binary.' I don't know what the hell that even means, my friends."
The vice president's remarks echoed a broader Republican strategy of painting Talarico as out of step with mainstream Texas values. Republicans have repeatedly criticized Talarico for opposing a ban on transgender athletes in girls' sports and for his outspoken criticism of Christian nationalism.
Vance continued with a pointed jab at Talarico's focus on transgender issues. "He won't shut up about having traditional Christian values makes you a bigot, and I gotta say, a guy that age who is so obsessed and focused on transgender children — I don't know about you, but I never want to see that guy's web browser history," Vance said. "It's not a good place. We'd rather be here."
Talarico, however, has sought to clarify his position on transgender athletes. In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, he said he supports banning transgender athletes from women's and girls' sports "if it endangers safety or fairness." He added, "Every sport has to be safe and fair." That conditional stance has drawn scrutiny from both sides, with some conservatives skeptical and some progressives disappointed. The issue remains a flashpoint in the campaign, as Talarico draws a line on trans athletes that he says is about fairness.
Beyond the personal attacks, Vance used the speech to paint the Democratic Party in broad strokes, accusing it of abandoning its working-class roots. "They're the party that despises America and the people who built it," he said, framing the upcoming midterms as a referendum on Democratic leadership.
Vance also sought to rally the GOP base, urging voters to turn out in a cycle where Republicans are fighting to hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. "I'm asking you, my fellow Republicans, to remember that this November is so much more than red team versus blue team," he said. "It's so much more than having good politicians in Washington."
He concluded with a warning to Democrats: "It's about sending a message to the Democratic Party that if you send your crazies, we're going to send you packing." Vance's appearance in Dallas was part of a larger GOP push ahead of the election, with former President Trump also headlining the convention's final night. The Vance-Trump double billing underscored the party's strategy of leaning into cultural battles to energize its base.
For Talarico, the attacks from Vance are likely to continue as the race heats up. His campaign has not yet responded to the vice president's remarks, but the exchange highlights the high stakes of the Texas Senate race and the national attention it is attracting.
