AUSTIN — Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico is facing a sustained Republican campaign questioning his masculinity, with White House immigration czar Stephen Miller calling Talarico "transgender" on Fox News on May 28.
Republicans have deployed nicknames including "Low-T Talarico," "James Talafreako" and "Six-Gender Jimmy" against the 37-year-old state representative. Strategists describe the effort as coordinated and overt, with the rhetoric mirroring online "manosphere" content that sets strict standards for male identity.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has used the "Low-T Talarico" label, implying low testosterone levels. Fox News host Jesse Watters has questioned Talarico's sexuality, calling him a "gay vegan" and asking whether he really has a girlfriend.
Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser said the strategy involves testing various attacks to "see what lands, what sticks," with the party planning to push whichever messages move voters through November.
The campaign began weeks after Talarico won the Democratic primary. Republicans have historically cast themselves as the party of masculine strength, and the effort aims to define Talarico for voters before he can define himself — deterring some male voters while consolidating a conservative base.
Talarico has largely avoided engaging the specific claims about his gender or sexuality. His supporters argue his actions define his manhood. One opinion piece said Talarico "takes responsibility, he upholds his commitments to his family and his neighbors, and he does what's right even when no one is watching."
The Atlantic has reported that parts of the Democratic coalition have also shown an appetite for masculinity-focused political marketing, reflecting how definitions of manhood now cut across party lines.
