Executive Insights
- Allegation stems from a Jan 12, 2026, private meeting between James Talarico and TikToker Morgan Thompson.
- Colin Allred broke his silence to endorse Jasmine Crockett and condemn Talarico’s alleged “mediocre Black man” comment.
- Talarico defends his words as a critique of Allred’s “campaign strategy,” not his character or race.
- The incident highlights deep intraparty tensions regarding identity politics and race in the Texas Democratic primary.
- Polls show the race is a dead heat, making this controversy a potential deciding factor for undecided voters.
The Allegation: A “Mediocre” Controversy
The Texas Democratic primary for U.S. Senate was upended late Sunday when Morgan Thompson, a political consultant and TikTok influencer known as @morgan_tt, posted a video alleging that State Representative James Talarico made disparaging remarks about former Congressman Colin Allred during a private meeting.
According to Thompson, the conversation took place on January 12, 2026, in Plano, Texas. She alleges that Talarico, attempting to court her support, contrasted his former rival Allred with his current opponent, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, using racially charged language.
“James Talarico told me that he signed up to run against a mediocre Black man [referring to Allred], not a formidable, intelligent Black woman [referring to Crockett].”
The video quickly went viral across Texas political circles, amassing thousands of views and forcing the Talarico campaign into immediate damage control just weeks before the March 3rd primary.
The Fallout: Allred and Crockett Respond
The reaction was swift and blistering. On Monday, February 2, Colin Allred—who had remained largely neutral since dropping his own Senate bid in December 2025—broke his silence in a scathing video message.
Allred’s “Steam” Video
Visibly agitated, Allred addressed the camera directly, stating that “steam was coming off his head” not just from his morning workout, but from the anger over Talarico’s alleged words.
- Direct Rebuke: “Don’t come for me unless I send for you. Keep my name out of your mouth.”
- Defense of Identity: He criticized the tactic of praising a Black woman by tearing down a Black man, calling it a tired trope that harms the community.
- Endorsement: Allred officially threw his support behind Jasmine Crockett, urging his supporters to vote for her.
Crockett’s Stance
Congresswoman Crockett also weighed in, stating that while she appreciates respect for her intellect, she rejects compliments that come at the expense of her colleague. “There is nothing mediocre about Colin Allred,” she told the Star-Telegram, emphasizing the difficulty of his previous campaigns and his service.
Talarico’s Defense: “Method, Not Man”
Facing the most significant crisis of his campaign, James Talarico issued a statement Monday afternoon calling Thompson’s account a “mischaracterization of a private conversation.”
| The Allegation | Talarico’s Defense |
|---|---|
| Called Allred a “mediocre Black man.” | Claims he described Allred’s “method of campaigning” as mediocre, not his life or service. |
| Pitted Crockett against Allred racially. | Stated he deeply respects Allred and understands how his critique could be misinterpreted given the “painful legacy of racism.” |
Political analysts note that Talarico’s defense hinges on a nuanced distinction—critiquing a campaign strategy versus a person’s character—that may be lost in the heat of a viral social media cycle. His supporters argue this is a coordinated hit job to stall his momentum, pointing to recent polls showing him leading or tied with Crockett.
Strategic Implications for the Primary
This controversy strikes at the heart of the Democratic coalition in Texas. The primary has become a dead heat between Talarico’s progressive-populist coalition and Crockett’s urban base.
- Polling Shift: Before this incident, Emerson College polls showed Talarico leading (47% to 38%). However, a more recent Texas Public Opinion Research poll showed a statistical tie (38% Crockett vs. 37% Talarico).
- Demographic Divide: Crockett already holds 80% of the Black vote. This controversy could solidify that support and potentially erode Talarico’s standing with white liberals sensitive to racial dynamics.
- “Mediocrity” Narrative: The term “mediocre” carries heavy historical baggage when applied to Black professionals, often used to dismiss their achievements as affirmative action rather than merit.
With early voting imminent, the Talarico campaign must pivot from this identity-politics firestorm back to policy, while Crockett’s team is likely to use Allred’s endorsement to consolidate the party establishment.
In-Depth Q&A
Q: What did James Talarico allegedly say about Colin Allred?
TikTok influencer Morgan Thompson alleged that James Talarico told her he signed up to run against a “mediocre Black man” (referring to Colin Allred) and not a “formidable, intelligent Black woman” (referring to Jasmine Crockett).
Q: How did James Talarico respond to the allegations?
Talarico called the allegation a “mischaracterization,” stating that he referred to Allred’s *campaign method* as mediocre, not Allred himself. He apologized for the impact of his words but maintained he would never attack someone on the basis of race.
Q: Who is Morgan Thompson?
Morgan Thompson is a Texas-based political consultant and content creator who goes by the handle @morgan_tt on TikTok. She posted the viral video detailing the private conversation with Talarico.
Q: How does this affect the 2026 Texas Senate primary?
The controversy has intensified the race between Talarico and Crockett. It prompted former rival Colin Allred to endorse Crockett, potentially consolidating Black voter support behind her in a race that polls show is statistically tied.
Q: When is the 2026 Texas Democratic Primary?
The primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
