Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a 30-second AI-generated attack ad on Sept. 8 targeting Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, using a synthetic version of Talarico to recite remarks about Christianity, gender, and Jesus that he had previously made in separate contexts.
The ad, posted on Paxton’s official X account, features an AI-generated likeness of Talarico sitting with a book labeled "The King James Talarico Bible", writing in it with a yellow crayon before delivering a fictionalized monologue. The script combines Talarico’s past statements into a single, cohesive narrative, including claims that "God was nonbinary", that Jesus was a ‘radical feminist’, and that Jesus "never asked people to worship him." The ad closes with a 2021 quote from Talarico: "I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity."
A disclaimer at the bottom of the video notes that "certain video content depicted in this advertising was generated by artificial intelligence."
Talarico’s Campaign Response
Talarico has not yet publicly addressed the ad directly, though his campaign has previously emphasized his religious identity. In a 2021 podcast interview, Talarico described himself as a "Christian who hates Christianity" and referred to Jesus as a "radical feminist." His campaign has also highlighted its majority-minority and majority-women senior staff, framing it as reflective of Texas’s diversity.
Polling and Prediction Markets
The race remains highly competitive, with polling averages placing Talarico at 47.3% and Paxton at 44.9%, a 2.4-point Democratic advantage based on the RealClearPolling average. Five of six individual surveys in the average show either a Talarico lead or a tie.
Prediction markets present a more divided outlook:
- Kalshi gives Paxton a 53% chance of victory against Talarico’s 47%, based on $310,000 in trading volume.
- Polymarket shows both candidates at 51%, with over $1 million traded.
Background: Talarico’s Statements on Religion and Diversity
Talarico has made several public remarks about Christianity and social issues that Paxton’s ad repurposes:
- In a 2021 podcast, he stated: "I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity."
- In a 2023 appearance, he described Gen Z staffers on his team as opposing Christianity due to its association with conservative social values, saying: "I have seen how Christianity has been perverted in this country over the last 50 years by the religious right."
- He has also referred to Jesus as a "radical feminist" in past interviews.
Campaign Hiring Practices
Separate reporting from the Daily Caller highlights Talarico’s past job postings that prioritized transgender and nonwhite applicants, with listings stating: "Women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ applicants are strongly encouraged to apply." Talarico has previously boasted about having a majority-minority and majority-women senior staff, arguing it reflects Texas’s demographics.
Democratic Concerns and Optimism
At a Labor Day rally in Dallas, some Texas Democrats expressed confidence in Talarico’s chances against Paxton, citing his progressive platform and Paxton’s legal troubles. One attendee, Ellen, a retired nurse, stated: "I don’t think Texans are going to vote for a criminal, cheat, adulterer, Ken Paxton." However, concerns lingered over Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s refusal to endorse Talarico, with some voters hoping for greater unity within the Democratic Party.
Historical Context of Texas Senate Races
Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen won re-election in 1988. While Talarico’s polling lead is notable, analysts caution that narrow survey advantages do not guarantee victory in a state where Republican candidates have repeatedly overcome competitive races.
AI in Political Advertising
The use of AI-generated content in campaign ads has sparked debate. Critics, including journalist Mehdi Hasan, have called for restrictions on such ads, arguing they blur the line between truth and fabrication. Paxton’s ad explicitly labels the content as AI-generated, though the disclaimer appears after the synthetic portrayal of Talarico.