US Senate candidate James Talarico criticised over transgender sports remarks

On October 30, 2026, Breitbart reported that Texas Republican congressman August Pfluger had criticised Democratic US Senate candidate James Talarico over his comments on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. The Scott Jennings Show discussed a recording in which Talarico says his position has not changed.

Pfluger, who leads a conservative Republican caucus in the House of Representatives, challenged Talarico’s efforts to present himself as a moderate. He said voters should not trust his promise to leave decisions at the local level and endorsed his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The Daily Wire published the recording on September 29, describing it as undercover footage. According to the outlet, the conversation took place on September 13 at Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. A woman posing as a supporter asked whether he would defend her transgender niece and her ability to compete in women’s sports.

In the published excerpt, Talarico promises to continue defending transgender children as he did in the state legislature. “My position hasn’t changed,” he says, advocating local decisions, sport by sport and athlete by athlete. He also says his remarks are being circulated in clips.

For comparison, in a September 9 Fox News interview, Talarico said he opposed transgender athletes participating in girls’ sports if it endangered safety or fairness. As The Texas Tribune reported, he explained his earlier votes against restrictions by saying they were overly broad. He said he had supported amendments leaving decisions to local communities and narrowing the ban.

Those September comments also drew criticism from LGBT organisation Equality Texas. Its CEO, Brad Pritchett, told The Texas Tribune that fairness in school sports must include transgender children and their opportunity to compete alongside their peers.

Talarico and Paxton are competing in the November 3 election for a US Senate seat in Texas.

Uránia previously covered Republican campaign ads targeting Talarico and other Christian candidates over their positions on LGBT issues.