James Talarico calls the post blatant racism and challenges Paxton to respond
James TalaricoTexas state representative and Democratic Senate candidate posting on his own account
Talarico thanked Cornyn, called the post blatant racism, and challenged Paxton to say whether he would condemn it.
“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?”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
After the University of Texas football team’s September 12, 2026 comeback win over Ohio State, Republican Railroad Commission nominee Bo French posted a still image of apparent South Asian fans and called what it showed a “problem.” He later said social media was exposing Americans being displaced by foreigners and accused UT of prioritizing foreigners over Texans. French and several supporters framed the posts as a legitimate criticism of immigration and admissions policy. Republican and Democratic officials, along with other commentators, condemned the use of the fans’ appearance as racist or xenophobic. Governor Greg Abbott rejected French’s interpretation of the image while reaffirming support for restrictive immigration policies.
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
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
More from this case
Read the full caseRosenthal calls donations a rejection of French
“The people are rejecting this bold, racist campaign of his.”Read statement
Krishnamoorthi calls French’s UT fan post a xenophobic attack
“The Department of Education seems to be playing dog whistles to Bo French’s tune just days after his xenophobic attack on South Asian students for cheering for their own college football team. South Asian Americans are as American as anyone.”Read statement
French says his UT fan posts were about culture, not race
“It’s fair to say that Texas doesn’t look and feel like it did when I was a kid, and that’s not racist.”Read statement
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- James Talarico calls the post blatant racism and challenges Paxton to respond
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The Dispute Index. "James Talarico calls the post blatant racism and challenges Paxton to respond". First published: 2026-09-16. Last updated: 2026-09-16. https://disputeindex.com/events/738-talarico-thanked-cornyn-called-the-post-blatant-racism