Talarico Names Favorite Drag Queen Who Works With Kids
A Democratic Senate nominee named a specific drag queen in less than one second. The candidate is James Talarico, and he pointed directly at Alyssa Edwards. This happened at a campaign event on September 14, 2026. A man in the crowd asked Talarico to name his favorite performer in Texas. Talarico did not hesitate. The exchange was recorded on video and spread quickly across social media platforms.
This moment matters because Edwards runs a business that teaches children to perform as drag queens. The Daily Wire reported that Edwards owns a dance studio where he trains young kids. The video shows Talarico endorsing a figure who explicitly markets his work to minors. Talarico has a long history of defending these performers in the Lone Star State.
🚨 WATCH
James Talarico says his “favorite drag queen” is Alyssa Edwards — who has described himself as "a drag performer that works with children." pic.twitter.com/u5HNKh4CQt
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 14, 2026
White House officials reacted immediately to the clip. Stephen Miller, the Deputy Chief of Staff, posted a strong message on X. This comment reflects the anger of the Trump administration regarding the candidate's stance on gender and faith issues. The New York Post noted that this exchange has drawn fresh attention to the Senate race between Talarico and Ken Paxton.
Republican leaders in Texas are using this moment to question Talarico's fitness for office. Ken Paxton, the Attorney General and Talarico's opponent, argued that the candidate is too radical. Rep. Brandon Gill also weighed in, stating it is bizarre for any man to instantly name a favorite drag queen. These officials see a direct link between Talarico's support and the activities happening in dance studios across the state.
The man Talarico supports, Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, uses the stage name Alyssa Edwards. He stars in the Netflix series Dancing Queen, which documents his work with young dancers. The Daily Wire reviewed clips from the show that depict Johnson mentoring minors.
Johnson has been open about his love for performing with minors. In a 2023 interview with Out magazine, he spoke proudly about sharing the stage with his students. He recalled a moment at World Pride in New York as one of the most powerful of his life. Edwards thanked Talarico for the shoutout on X, calling it a recognition that arts have a home in Texas. He signed his post with "Matthew 7:1 #ProudTexan." The candidate's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the press.
This is not a vague political debate about abstract rights.
