
A white Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas now faces a firestorm that could end his campaign after allegedly calling a Black former Senate hopeful a “mediocre Black man” in what was supposed to be a private conversation praising his female opponent.
Story Snapshot
- State Representative James Talarico accused of calling former Senate candidate Colin Allred a “mediocre Black man” during a private meeting at a campaign rally in Plano
- TikTok influencer Morgan Thompson publicly revealed the alleged remarks on February 3, sparking immediate backlash from Allred and support for opponent Jasmine Crockett
- Talarico claims his words were mischaracterized, insisting he critiqued Allred’s campaign strategy, not the man himself
- The controversy exposes sharp racial divisions in the Democratic primary, with Black voters overwhelmingly backing Crockett while white and Latino voters favor Talarico
- Political experts warn the incident could devastate Talarico’s chances in a general election where he would need strong Black voter turnout
When Private Words Become Public Weapons
The controversy erupted after Morgan Thompson, a Dallas TikTok influencer, posted a video recounting her private conversation with Talarico following his January campaign rally in Plano. According to Thompson, Talarico allegedly praised Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett as formidable and intelligent while dismissing Colin Allred as a mediocre Black man. The allegation went viral on February 3, forcing Talarico into damage control mode. His written response attempted to thread a needle, characterizing the claim as a mischaracterization while acknowledging he criticized Allred’s campaign methods as mediocre but not his life or service.
Allred Fires Back With Unmistakable Force
Colin Allred, the former U.S. Congressman who ended his own 2024 Senate campaign against Republican John Cornyn just months earlier, delivered a scorching video response that left no ambiguity about his position. “This man should not be our nominee for Senate,” Allred declared. “Don’t come for me unless I send for you, OK James? And keep my name out of your mouth.” Allred’s rebuke cut deeper when he added that if Talarico wanted to compliment Black women, he should just do it without tearing down a Black man in the process. The former congressman then endorsed Crockett, transforming what might have remained a simmering controversy into a defining moment.
The Racial Fault Lines Running Through Texas Democrats
The Talarico controversy did not create the racial divisions in the Texas Democratic primary, but it certainly exposed them with uncomfortable clarity. Recent polling reveals a stark pattern: a large majority of Black Democratic voters support Crockett, while majorities of white and Latino voters back Talarico. Rice University political scientist Mark Jones identified the underlying problem when he noted that when Talarico supporters invoke electability arguments against Crockett, they are implicitly suggesting that a Black woman would be less successful than a white man. The controversy has now given those implicit concerns an explicit voice, forcing Democratic voters to confront uncomfortable questions about race and electability.
The Electability Trap That Snared Talarico
Talarico entered the race as a formidable candidate with strong appeal among Hispanic and white male voters. As a state representative from Austin, he positioned himself as the pragmatic choice in a red-leaning state where Democrats face uphill battles in general elections. Crockett, representing the Dallas area in Congress with a massive social media following and progressive credentials, brought star power and a proven ability to mobilize voters. The race was already competitive before the controversy, with both candidates offering distinct advantages. Now Talarico faces the question of whether he can win a primary that appears increasingly defined by racial identity rather than policy positions or campaign strategy.
Why This Moment Could Haunt Democrats in November
The timing of this controversy could hardly be worse for Texas Democrats, occurring just one month before the primary election. Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser assessed the situation bluntly, noting the dustup does not help Talarico and likely cost him momentum. But the deeper problem extends beyond the primary. Mark Jones warned that if Talarico wins while being perceived as disrespecting African American candidates and voters, he will desperately need strong Black turnout in November 2026 to have any hope of defeating Republican incumbent John Cornyn. The contradiction is stark: winning a primary by alienating the very voters you need in the general election is not a strategy, it is a path to defeat.
The Mischaracterization Defense Falls Short
Talarico’s response to the allegations reveals the difficulty of defending remarks made in what he believed was a private conversation. His statement acknowledged criticizing Allred’s campaign methods while insisting he would never attack anyone on the basis of race. He even added that as a Black man in America, Allred has had to work twice as hard, and he understands how his critique could be interpreted given the country’s painful legacy of racism. Yet Talarico stopped short of an outright denial that he used the phrase “mediocre Black man.” That omission speaks volumes. When a politician chooses the language of “mischaracterization” rather than flat denial, voters reasonably conclude there is fire behind the smoke.
Texas Democrat Running for U.S. Senate Under Fire for Allegedly Making Racist Comment About Black Colleague https://t.co/suwzX4TVrX #gatewaypundit via @gatewaypundit
— Greg S (@greg207) February 4, 2026
What Crockett Gains From Standing Back
Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett demonstrated political savvy by allowing Allred to serve as her champion rather than responding directly herself. Her statement praised Allred’s willingness to stand for all people who have been targeted and talked about in demeaning ways as the country continues to be divided. By positioning herself as the candidate who brings people together rather than tears them down, Crockett benefits from the controversy without appearing to exploit it. The approach reinforces her image as a unifying figure while Talarico scrambles to explain his words. In politics, letting your opponent create his own problems while you offer solutions is often the smartest move available.
Sources:
A ‘mediocre’ comment has put Talarico’s Texas Senate campaign in the hot seat – Politico
Democratic Senate primary erupts after candidate accused of ‘mediocre Black man’ remark – Fox News












