A resurfaced video from September 2020 shows Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico describing the period after the Black Lives Matter riots as a "really exciting" opportunity to "end the current situation of over-policing communities of color which has been in place in this country since its founding."

The video, recorded during a Zoom meeting with South Asian American Voter Empowerment (SAAVETX), captures Talarico urging policymakers to "listen to black voices and to the activists in the streets calling for a radically different vision of public safety."

He expressed a desire to convene a broad group including activists, community leaders, and law enforcement officials to discuss what true public safety policy should look like and how to end over-policing.

Talarico, a Texas state lawmaker, is currently tied in recent polls with Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the race for U.S. Senate.

Critics have challenged Talarico's pro-police stance, citing the resurfaced video as contradicting that narrative. A spokesperson accused him of donating thousands to an organization supporting defunding the police and voting against banning personal bond release for people accused of violent crimes. The spokesperson stated, "just because he votes on a basic spending bill like every other state representative does not mean he has ever 'supported law enforcement.'"

Further criticism includes claims that Talarico's vision for Texas—with no police, no prisons, and no borders—would endanger families and benefit criminal illegal aliens.

Talarico was also pictured speaking at the Hispanic Caucus at the Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi on June 26, 2026.

The resurfaced video and ensuing debate come as Talarico attempts to distance himself from his past positions, with commentators like Jesse Watters questioning his authenticity and highlighting his previous support for open borders and transgender children.

Sources