James Talarico calls the post blatant racism and challenges Paxton to respond
Texas state representative and Democratic Senate candidate posting on his own account
“Thank you @JohnCornyn for your leadership. Racism has no place in Texas. @KenPaxtonTX: will you condemn this blatant racism or will you cower to extremists?”
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Post published 12:10 PM ET on September 13, 2026, thanking Cornyn and challenging Paxton directly. Paxton replied later the same day.
Before the quotation
Cornyn had condemned French's post earlier the same day. Talarico and Paxton are opponents in the 2026 Texas Senate race.
After the quotation
Paxton replied about four and a half hours later, condemning racism in general terms without characterising French's post.
How this statement is classified
Case context: Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The conduct under scrutiny is French's UT fan post. Talarico names it blatant racism, condemning it directly, and presses an opponent to take a position.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Bo French, Ken Paxton

Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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