Talarico’s ‘proud capitalist’ about-face collides with resurfaced call to ‘dismantle’ capitalism

The James Talarico campaign says the Democratic Senate nominee in Texas is a "proud capitalist," even though he once described capitalism as an "oppressive system" that needed to be dismantled — and predicted that Texas’ fossil fuel industry was "not gonna last." The remarks, made during a resurfaced 2020 Zoom call with Sierra Club activists, are drawing fresh scrutiny as Talarico faces Republican nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Senate race that could help determine control of the chamber.

The comments were first reported by CNN early Tuesday and were seized on by Lone Star Liberty PAC, an outside political group aligned with Paxton, and Senate Leadership Fund, a leading super PAC backing Senate Republicans.

THESE 12 MIDTERM RACES WILL DECIDE WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE SENATE On the call, Talarico is heard saying that the U.S. was facing a "multi-faceted threat" of a climate, economic and social crisis.

After an activist asked how to address the harm suffered by communities of color by climate change, Talarico responded, "I’m so thankful that you asked this question and also thankful that young activists have really drawn the link between climate change and White supremacy and capitalism in our country." "I think only understanding the ways that all three of those oppressive systems work together are we going to be able to begin the process of dismantling them." DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Talarico, during the same forum, forecast that Texas' fossil fuel industry wouldn't last.

"We all know that Texas has been a leader in oil and gas, but in many ways that’s like being the leader in cassette tapes in the 1980s.

That industry is not gonna last," Talarico said.

Asked for comment, Talarico campaign spokesperson J.T.

Ennis told Fox News Digital, "James is a proud capitalist and agrees with the majority of Texans that racism, natural disasters, and a billionaire-controlled economy are all problems we need to address." "James has already said he missed the mark on some of his past statements, while Ken Paxton has refused to address his comments that the school shooting in Uvalde was ‘God’s plan’ and that Texas’ abortion ban is good for interstate commerce," Ennis added.

The Talarico campaign also spotlighted that the state lawmaker had "taken many votes" in support of the oil industry.

And the campaign website states that he aims to make sure that Texas "not only maintains, but extends" its energy dominance.