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Republicans Want to Make the Texas Senate Race About Manliness

Talarico is the target of Paxton’s masculinity-focused ad and has criticized Paxton over his impeachment trial.

Republicans Want to Make the Texas Senate Race About Manliness
Image · TPM – Talking Points Memo

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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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May 29, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton’s first general-election ad attacks Texas Senate rival James Talarico with claims about masculinity and gender. The article describes the tactic as part of a broader Republican campaign strategy and notes the race is competitive.

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Democratic Senate candidate targeted by Paxton’s ad and running an ad criticizing Paxton

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate whose general-election ad attacks James Talarico on masculinity and gender

Paxton's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President whose party and past public comments are discussed in connection with masculinity politics

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Republican congressman and former Senate primary candidate who posted about Talarico’s relationship

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who lost the Republican Senate primary runoff to Paxton

Mehmet Oz
R · PA

Head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, mentioned in a description of Trump’s 2016 television appearance

ALSO MENTIONED  Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff who posted a false claim about Talarico

Part of a bigger story

8 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Releases Gender-Focused Ad Targeting James Talarico

Ken Paxton’s campaign released an ad attacking James Talarico, focusing on masculinity and gender, as their Texas Senate race took shape. Talarico responded with criticism of Paxton. Left-leaning outlets frame the ad as part of a Republican strategy built around masculinity and cultural identity. Center outlets describe the candidates’ competing attacks and the broader race, with some also examining the ad’s focus on masculinity. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Talarico’s campaign strategy and the challenges he faces against Paxton.

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