Talarico’s ‘mediocre Black man’ controversy highlights divisions among Texas Democrats

Texas’ Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat is highlighting some racial fault lines in the Democratic coalition that will need to be shored up for liberals to have any chance of winning the race in November.

Being a documented critic of people running with unverified claims online, I took with a grain of salt a social media user’s recent accusation that candidate James Talarico had referred to Colin Allred — a fellow Democrat who recently dropped out of the primary, which also includes Rep. Jasmine Crockett — as a “mediocre Black man.” The accuser’s description of the conversation simply isn’t enough for me to conclude the claim being leveled is accurate.

For what it’s worth, Talarico has called the accusation a “mischaracterization of a private conversation,” saying in a statement: “In my praise of Congresswoman Crockett, I described Congressman Allred’s method of campaigning as mediocre — but his life and service are not. I would never attack him on the basis of race.”

The fact that conservatives seem so eager to use the controversy to attack Talarico is certainly notable. But the reason this particular claim is taking off is because of already brewing tensions surrounding this primary.

I’ve found Talarico to be an extremely compelling communicator and deft politician who seems smart enough to know that alienating any portion of the Democratic base could be a death knell for his Senate hopes. It’s part of the reason, along with what seems to be legitimate respect, why I think he has been so inclined to praise Crockett.

And yet, some of the liberal activists backing him seem to lack his deftness, as if they don’t see similar value in at least appearing to respect Crockett as a political figure. I’ve found it hard to shake my feeling that some liberal activists and pundits view Talarico — a white, male, evangelical progressive — as cut from central casting for a Senate bid in Texas, and as a result seem to view Crockett with scorn for having the audacity to throw her name in the ring. It’s a sentiment that reeks of entitlement, coming not from Talarico himself but rather his supporters.

This post, suggesting that Democrats should “go nuclear” on Crockett and “blacklist anyone who works for her campaign,” is a prime example.

If Jasmine Crockett runs for Senate the party must go nuclear on her and blacklist anyone who works for her campaign. Choosing to actively sabotage your party is not acceptable and there need to be consequences. https://t.co/2iYqTVfL1Y

— Drew Savicki (@DrewSav) October 22, 2025

And I’d argue you can detect a similar entitlement in posts from liberals who minimize Crockett in much the way you might expect from, say, Fox News: as some progressive caricature or some rabble-rousing firebrand whose very being risks waking up “sleeping” Republicans this election cycle.

Not to be that guy, but this is further proof that we don’t need a “juice the base” candidate for Sen

That work is already done

We need someone who will keep the Republicans asleep as much as possible https://t.co/aSWWoFLJPn

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Obviously, it’s fine not to support Crockett as a candidate. But these critics don’t seem to consider that the House Democrat — one of the most outspoken voices in Congress on civil rights matters such as voting rights, which are under threat in her state — is still a revered figure among liberals, including many Black liberals who feel she is being given short shrift in service of a white male candidate.

And rest assured: Black Texans are taking note. This post from Texas activist Tayhlor Coleman, criticizing some of Talarico’s most vocal online supporters, is instructional in that regard.

“As someone who likes Talarico — his fans are being absolute snowflakes,” Coleman wrote. “A candidate who cannot weather a storm caused by an influencer repeating an off-the cuff comment is not ready for prime time in Texas.”

As someone who likes Talarico—his fans are being absolute snowflakes. A candidate who cannot weather a storm caused by an influencer repeating an off-the cuff comment is not ready for prime time in Texas.
Let him put on his big boy pants & pick himself up. Y’all are NOT helping. https://t.co/hWxhXfmGxm

— Tayhlor Coleman (@tayhlorcoleman) February 3, 2026

Some of Talarico’s supporters have sought to frame the “mediocre” comment controversy as a mere distraction, but in reality it speaks to simmering divisions at the heart of this primary race: divisions that must — and still can — be mended if any Democrat is to succeed in winning the general election.