Talarico responds to Joe Rogan: Texas is better ‘purple’

James Talarico said the best color for Texas, politically speaking, is “purple” during a Wednedsay appearance on “The Breakfast Club.”

Speaking with hosts Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy and Jess Hilarious, Talarico responded to Austin podcaster Joe Rogan’s recent comments about Austin being a blue dot in a red state by arguing that political competition produces better policy.

“I think [Rogan] is right that balance is key here. I have said that my party talks about turning Texas blue,” Talarico said. “Obviously, the Republicans talk about turning Texas red. I honestly think the best color for Texas is purple.”

“And what I mean by that is competition is good for policy making,” he added, pointing to his 2018 victory in a historically Republican Williamson County House district.

“They were on their best behavior because there was a competitive election,” Talarico said. “You’ve seen the Democratic Party get very complacent and not fight for people in the way that we should, and that’s often because there is not enough competition.”

Jess pushed back, arguing the Republican Party changed after 2013 through battles such as Shelby County v. Holder, saying it had embraced “fascism, authoritarian, and no checks and balances for the executive branch.”

“So is that the type of competition we’re talking about here?” she asked.

Talarico responded that extremism is “a direct result of a lack of competition” because lawmakers no longer feel pressure to appeal to moderates or the opposing party.

The Statesman contacted Talarico’s camp for further comment on the podcast episode. 

Talarico also discussed U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, his outreach to Black voters and his faith.

Jess referenced Talarico’s Houston town hall with Black voters, where at least one attendee raised concerns about online advocates, including Keith Edwards and Rogue DNC, who launched a campaign against Crockett. She noted Talarico had told supporters to keep Crockett’s name out of their mouths and asked whether he wished he had spoken out sooner.

Talarico pointed to a December video in which he called Crockett “a friend and a leader” who deserves the “utmost respect,” adding that he has continued that message throughout his campaign because of the “vitriol” online.

“I can’t police every single comment section, but I can show leadership, and you know, I look back, and it’s possible that I could’ve shown more leadership,” Talarico said. “Again, this is so much bigger than me; it is so much bigger than Congresswoman Crockett. I mean, we have to win this race.” 

He said attacks on Crockett did not help his campaign and instead “hurt it.” Talarico praised Crockett’s work campaigning for down-ballot candidates and said criticism that she had not campaigned enough for him was “wrong.”

More broadly, Talarico said that Democrats “need” Black Texans to win statewide races, agreeing that the party should reevaluate its spending with Black media outlets and vendors.

“If we’re going to win a statewide race, then we’ve got to have the entire coalition with us; alienating parts of that coalition makes us less competitive,” he said.