Newly elected Texas Democratic state Sen. James Talarico delivered eyebrow-raising advice to constituents during a Fox News interview this week—warning voters not to trust what politicians promise, even when it comes from him.
“I don’t think you should listen to anything a politician says. You shouldn’t trust anything,” Talarico told “America’s Newsroom” host Dana Perino on Wednesday, just days after defeating Republican Ken Paxton in a closely watched state Senate race. When pressed whether that included his own campaign rhetoric, Talarico didn’t hesitate: “Yeah.”
Judge Me By My Record, Not My Words
The freshman lawmaker, who flipped a Republican-held Senate seat by an 11-point margin, urged voters to scrutinize politicians’ actions rather than speeches. “What you should do is look at my record,” he said. “That is what you can trust, because actions, in my view, speak a lot louder than words.”
Talarico’s unvarnished comments came amid questions about his political evolution during the campaign. The Democrat ran as a moderate, supporting border security measures and opposing gender transition procedures for minors—stances that contrasted with some past statements.
Shifting Positions on Key Issues
While campaigning as a “border security Democrat,” records show Talarico had previously accused Republicans of committing “atrocities” for tightening border enforcement. He once described COVID-era immigration enforcement as America upholding the “oppression of undocumented Americans.”
During the Fox interview, Talarico struck a more conciliatory tone, saying he’d work with Republicans on border security while advocating amnesty for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. The senator also endorsed marijuana legalization and expressed newfound support for the oil and gas industry—another reversal from earlier predictions that fossil fuels would become obsolete.
A Blowout Victory for Dems
Talarico’s victory over Paxton, 55% to 43%, helped Democrats regain control of the Texas Senate. His campaign successfully framed the race as a test between pragmatic governance and partisan extremism, with Talarico positioning himself as a bridge-builder willing to cross party lines.
Yet his Wednesday remarks suggest Talarico may be betting that voters will reward honesty about political posturing rather than punish him for it. “Look at my record,” he repeated—likely aware that in an era of deep political distrust, acknowledging the artifice of campaigning could prove more credible than denying it.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/talaricos-advice-to-voters-dont-trust-a-word-he-says