Texas Senate candidate James Talarico targeted by undercover videos

The O’Keefe Media Group has released undercover footage involving individuals connected to Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico on the eve of the Texas election. The recordings feature Williamson County Democratic Party Chair Kim Collins Gilby, Travis County Democratic Party regional organizer Andhi Beltran Garcia, and Matt Menard, identified as the father of Talarico’s girlfriend, Brianna Menard.

In the videos, the individuals reportedly contrast Talarico’s public political stances with his private views. Gilby and Menard suggest that Talarico’s public positions on border security and abortion are intended to make him appear more centrist or pragmatic for the Texas electorate, while alleging he holds more progressive views in private. Specifically, the footage includes claims that Talarico supports a pathway to citizenship and would halt certain ICE enforcement tactics if Democrats controlled Congress.

Talarico has publicly campaigned as a “border security Democrat” and has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border. He is currently engaged in a closely watched race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.