James Talarico didn’t pause for a second when a Texas campaign crowd asked him to name his favorite drag queen, and that instant answer is now fueling a fresh Republican attack on his Senate bid.
Quick Take
- Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico named Alyssa Edwards as his favorite Texas drag queen during a recent campaign event.
- Reports identify the performer as Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, who has described himself as a drag performer who works with children.
- Resurfaced 2023 remarks show Talarico once praised Texas for producing “some of the best drag queens in the nation.”
- Republican campaigns, including Ken Paxton’s team and the Republican National Committee (RNC), are using the comment to paint Talarico as out of touch with Texas voters.
What Talarico Said And When He Said It
At a recent campaign stop, someone asked Talarico to name his favorite drag queen in Texas. He answered right away: “Oh, my gosh. Probably Alyssa Edwards.” Fox News Digital first reported the exchange on September 15, 2026, publishing video of the moment. The quick, unhesitating response is what made the clip spread so fast across conservative media outlets and social platforms.
Alyssa Edwards is the stage name of Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson. Fox News Digital’s report says Johnson has publicly described himself as “a drag performer that works with children.” That detail became the centerpiece of the criticism that followed, since it let critics connect Talarico’s answer directly to concerns about children and drag performances.
A Pattern Republicans Say Goes Back Years
This isn’t the first time Talarico’s words on drag have drawn attention. Fox News Digital reported in July 2026 that Talarico told Texas Newsroom back in May 2023 that “Texas is obviously the best state in the nation” and that the state produces “some of the best drag queens in the nation.” He also said he didn’t want legislation to “target them or hurt that industry”.
That 2023 comment came during a debate over a Texas bill that would have restricted sexually oriented performances, including drag shows in certain settings. Talarico ultimately voted “present” after lawmakers stripped drag-specific language from the bill, saying the revised version would better protect performers. Republicans now point to that vote alongside the recent video as proof of a consistent stance they call extreme.
How Republicans Are Using The Moment
Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign spokeswoman Madison Cercy didn’t hold back, saying the drag comment is “just one more addition to the long list of out-of-touch, extreme views James Talarico holds that are out of step with the people of Texas.” The RNC piled on with similar messaging, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee reportedly said Talarico “wants to drag down Texas”.
Townhall and other conservative outlets amplified the story further, with an RNC spokesman going so far as to question why Talarico’s favorite entertainer would be someone he described in harsh terms tied to children. That kind of language turns a policy disagreement into an emotional flashpoint, which is exactly the point for campaigns trying to energize their base ahead of a competitive Senate race.
Candidate James Talarico quickly named Alyssa Edwards as his "favorite drag queen" at a Texas campaign event, drawing Republican backlash. #Talarico #TexasSenate #DragQueen #Paxton #ChristianPost
đŸ”— https://t.co/W07V4ccrct https://t.co/wYs14mjzf6 pic.twitter.com/zL7eibdWiP— The Christian Post (@ChristianPost) September 16, 2026
It’s worth being clear-eyed here. A single quick answer at a campaign stop, even paired with a three-year-old quote, is thin material for building an entire ideological profile of a candidate. Voters deserve more than a viral clip to judge where someone stands. But it’s also fair to say Talarico’s own words, both recent and past, are consistent enough that Republicans have a straightforward, factual basis for the contrast they’re drawing.
Why This Fight Keeps Happening In Texas Politics
Drag has become one of the most reliable culture-war flashpoints in American politics over the past few years, with dozens of state legislatures introducing bills to limit performances, especially those children might attend. Supporters call it free expression and entertainment; opponents call it a threat to kids and traditional values. Texas has been at the center of that fight for years, making any candidate’s comments on the topic politically loaded.
That backdrop explains why a single word — “Alyssa Edwards” — could travel so fast. Short clips built for outrage spread faster than nuanced explanations of legislative votes or policy positions ever will. Talarico’s campaign hasn’t offered a lengthy rebuttal to the criticism, and unless he addresses it directly, Republicans will keep using the moment as shorthand for a broader argument about values heading into the Senate race.
Sources:
nypost.com, youtube.com, foxnews.com
