JD Vance hints Texas Democrat James Talarico is gay in sly jibe: ‘I’m the Vice President, not James Talarico’

Vice President JD Vance implied Democratic Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico is gay as he cracked a joke Tuesday at a campaign outing in the Lone Star State. 

Vance was stumping on behalf of Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton, the state’s attorney general, who is behind Talarico in some polls in the traditionally red state. 

At the top of his remarks, Vance made the quip – responding to an audience member who was showing him some love. 

‘I love you too, sir. In a totally platonic way, to be clear,’ Vance said. ‘I’m the Vice President, not James Talarico.’ 

Talarico’s rise as the candidate who could finally change Democrats’ prospects in Texas has been marked by Republicans pushing that there’s something weird about him. 

The 37-year-old Texas House member has been mocked for being ‘low-T’ and nicknamed ‘Talafreako.’ 

Comments the Democrat has previously made supporting trans youth have been weaponized. 

The candidate was also forced to answer questions about his relationship with his current girlfriend, Brianna Menard, as she previously served as his chief of staff. 

At Tuesday’s rally, Vance continued down that path. 

‘Ladies and gentlemen, this guy’s a freak,’ the VP told the crowd. ‘Don’t elect him, pick Ken Paxton.’ 

Earlier Tuesday, Vance had been asked by a reporter what he meant when he said he didn’t want to see Talarico’s internet search history. 

‘He’s just a guy who shows a weird focus on transgender kids and drag queens, and … he said something to the effect of an 11-year-old in drag was a great sight or a very beautiful thing,’ the VP explained. 

‘It’s just he says a lot of weird stuff and I think typically people who say stuff like that tend to have some pretty unusual search histories,’ Vance continued. ‘Maybe he doesn’t,’ he shrugged. 

Vance then used the attack line again. 

‘The best part about this guy is he was asked what he loves in life, besides his own family and friends. And he responded without skipping a beat, “trans children,”‘ Vance said at the rally. 

‘Now you got to wonder what the internet search history of a man like that looks like, ladies and gentlemen,’ he jabbed. ‘You don’t want to find out. Neither do I.’ 

Vance also alluded to a conspiracy theory that enveloped the Talarico campaign when the candidate stepped off the trail due to a case of the flu. 

A fake story had gone viral that Talarico was missing because he was being treated at a mental institution in Ohio. 

Talarico’s campaign and the facility denied the allegations, with the Democrat saying that he’s never even been to Ohio. 

‘James Talarico needs a week or two to get his own head examined because he’s lost his damn mind,’ Vance said. 

Talarico’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.