JD Vance Endorses Ken Paxton and Attacks James Talarico

Vice President JD Vance endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the United States Senate during a midterm election rally on October 13, 2026, at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler, Texas. Hosted by the Trump 47 Committee Inc., the event focused on supporting working families and Texas industries, including beef and energy. Vance described Paxton as a man with a backbone and claimed that his opponent, Democratic candidate James Talarico, is plotting to seize power.

During the rally, Vance targeted Talarico with personal and political attacks. After an audience member expressed affection for him, Vance responded, "I'm the Vice President, not James Talarico." This follows previous criticisms Vance made at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, where he referenced Talarico's past assertions that God is nonbinary and that there are six biological sexes. Talarico has since attempted to distance himself from those remarks, stating he missed the mark and affirming that there are two biological sexes.

While Vance spoke to a standing-room-only crowd, Democratic candidate Hector Garza led a peaceful counter-rally on the airport grounds.