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What it means to be a man is a theme in Texas Senate race as Paxton attacks Talarico

After winning the Republican primary, Paxton used masculinity-focused insults against James Talarico.

What it means to be a man is a theme in Texas Senate race as Paxton attacks Talarico
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May 30, 2026
tl;dr

After winning the Republican Senate primary, Ken Paxton attacked Democratic candidate James Talarico with insults focused on masculinity. The article examines how the attacks fit into the Texas race and a broader shift in Republican political rhetoric.

Community verdict

12 VOTES
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
● OPEN

People in this story

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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate who attacked his Democratic opponent

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate targeted by Paxton’s attacks

Talarico's version of this story ↗

Florida Republican congressional candidate who questioned Talarico’s masculinity

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose political style the article connects to masculinity-focused rhetoric

Marco Rubio
Secretary of State

Secretary of State, referenced as a past target of Trump’s nickname

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator whose 2014 campaign was worked on by strategist Brendan Steinhauser

ALSO MENTIONED  Brian Kemp, Georgia governor referenced as a target of Trump’s insult in a past speech; Jeb Bush, Former Florida governor referenced as a past target of Trump’s nickname; Jesse Watters, Fox host who taunted Talarico; Stephen Miller, White House adviser who made a gendered attack on Talarico

Part of a bigger story

11 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Releases Ad Targeting James Talarico’s Masculinity

Ken Paxton’s campaign released a general-election ad attacking James Talarico, using masculinity-focused rhetoric. Left-leaning outlets frame the ad as part of a Republican strategy centered on masculinity and examine its cultural implications. Center outlets place the ad amid the wider Senate campaign, including Talarico’s focus on Paxton’s scandals and the candidates’ competing messages. Right-leaning outlets emphasize attacks on Talarico’s past remarks and his perceived fit with Texas voters, with some portraying the ad as effective.

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