Cross Roads Podcast - The Paxton vs Talarico Showdown - Who Is Worthy of Your Vote?

Texas is about to get a U.S. Senate race that feels like a national referendum, and we wanted to talk about it without the all-caps chaos. The matchup is set: Republican nominee Ken Paxton vs Democratic nominee James Talarico, with both sides convinced the direction of Texas is on the line. We walk through what just happened in the primaries and why this contest is already being framed as one of the most watched Senate elections in America.

We dig into who Talarico is, from his background as a teacher and seminary student to the message he brings on education, public school funding, teacher pay, and social issues. We also unpack why his public faith language creates such strong reactions, especially around abortion rights, church and state arguments, and modern political identity. Whether you see him as thoughtful or you strongly disagree with him, understanding his platform helps you vote with your eyes open.

Then we turn to Paxton: the impeachment in 2023, the Texas Senate acquittal, and the record his supporters cite on border security, lawsuits against the federal government, and conservative legal battles. We also get into why this Senate seat matters in plain terms: federal judges, border policy, military funding, tax policy, spending bills, and energy policy. If you care about the future of Texas politics, election turnout, and what “Texas values” means in Washington, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with one issue you think will decide Paxton vs Talarico.

The information provided in this podcast was from Ballotpedia 2026.

Transcript

Welcome And Race Preview

Steven Killfoil 1:06

Good morning, Cross Roads. Welcome back to Cross Roads Podcast. I'm Steven.

Mady Killfoil 1:13

And I'm Mady. Today we're diving into one of the biggest political races in Texas: the upcoming U.S. Senate battle between Republican nominee Ken Paxton and Democratic nominee James Tellerico.

Steven Killfoil 1:30

This race is shaping up to be one of the most watched Senate contests in America.

Mady Killfoil 1:37

And unlike social media, we are going to have an actual conversation instead of yelling at each other in all caps.

Steven Killfoil 1:47

That's right. No keyboard warriors were harmed in the making of this podcast. Definitely. Let's begin with what just happened in Texas.

Nominees Set After Runoffs

Steven Killfoil 2:00

The big news is that Ken Paxton defeated longtime U.S. Senator and Rhino Republican John Cornyn in the Republican runoff election and secured the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate. According to Ballotpedia, and James Telarico won the Democratic Senate nomination and will face Paxton in the November 3rd general election. The Attorney General Republican nomination was won by Mays Middleton in the runoff after Paxton chose to run for Senate.

Mady Killfoil 2:36

Paxton won decisively, ending Corning's more than two decades in the Senate as the Republican nominee.

Steven Killfoil 2:46

On the Democratic side, State Representative James Tellerico won the Democratic nomination earlier this year and will now face Paxton in November.

Mady Killfoil 2:58

So the general election matchup, it's officially set. Ken Paxton versus James Tellerico.

Who Is James Talarico

Steven Killfoil 3:06

So who is this James Tellerico, besides being a socialist communist Democrat? James Tellerico is a Democrat state representative from Central Texas.

Mady Killfoil 3:19

Before politics, he was a teacher and later attended seminary. He has built a following through social media, public speaking, and education issues.

Steven Killfoil 3:40

Talarico has positioned himself as a moderate-sounding Democrat who focuses healvily on education and economic issues.

Mady Killfoil 3:40

His supporters describe him as thoughtful and articulate.

Steven Killfoil 3:45

His critics argue that despite his modern tone, many of his policy positions align with the National Democratic Party. In my opinion, if you want a socialist communist, Talarico is your man. Here's a little background information on him. He has been known to say in a sermon of his resurfacing, showing the preacher saying that Christianity is a feminist religion that approves of abortion while talking about unborn babies in terms of living organisms inside the body. Being Christian and being pro-choice are absolutely consistent because Christianity is a feminist religion. This is James Talarico opening up his mouth and speaking. The question is is a fetus or is it an embryo or is it a person with full legal rights that trump the rights of a woman? I say no. I think most Americans say no, and to me that exposes the kind of lack of support for fetal personhood. He has also described Jesus as a radical feminist and argued that the enunciation story shows God asks for Mary's consent. The angel comes down and asks Mary if this is something she wants to do. So to me, that is an affirmation in one of our most central stories that creation has to be done with consent. He uses this to argue that God approves of abortion instead of pro-choice. Oh my gosh. So yeah. Talarico, he was born May 17th, 1989, former middle school teacher, graduate of the University of Texas, attended Presbyterian Seminary, and has stated that he hopes to become a pastor. God help his congregation. Talarico describes himself as a committed Christian and frequently discusses faith publicly. Well, he argues that Christianity should be centered on love, compassion, service to the poor, and social justice. Well, a lot more to it than that, James. Anyway, he supports uh increased public school funding, higher teacher pay, opposition to private school voucher programs, and opposition to what he views as excessive privatization of education. Even though our poor kids are suffering and most of them come to college with a fifth grade reading level because we have failed them miserably in public school. So he also opposed efforts to require Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, arguing that government should not impose religion. Even though our nation, our republic, was founded on God. Okay, yes. So Talarico also supports the LGBTQ. Legal for individuals, opposition to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, as he calls it, gender affirming care, recognition of transgender individuals. Link, we used to lock them up in the crazy farm, right? That's where they need to be locked back up. Yes. He supports abortion rights. In other words, he doesn't think it's a human. He just thinks you could whack it all the way up to when it's born. Oh, what a wonderful man. You sure you want this guy in office? Yeah. I don't. Talarico generally supports legal pathways to citizenship, comprehensive immigration reform. I'll give you immigration reform. Go home, stay there, apply, pay, and then if you are invited in, you come in, you learn English language, you assimilate into our society, not us into yours. That's pretty easy. So some of the other public statements that have drawn attention by Mr. Talarico is he says God is beyond gender, God is non-binary. What the hell is that? Anyway, he says atheists can be more Christ-like than Christians. Oh. Christian nationalism is a threat to both Christianity and democracy. And politics should be built around love and compassion. And I heard the other day on a podcast from Steve Gardner that he also said that uh before giving birth to God, uh, to Jesus, God gave Mary the option to abort Jesus. I'm like, oh my god, that's just sick. Blasphemy? I mean, like, God, how can you stand this? May God have mercy on your soul if you vote for that, James Talarico. That's all I'm gonna say. Yeah, he's a moron, a putz, and a sick puppy. Yeah, he's sick. And we do not want him in our government. Yeah, he's definitely. All right, let's talk about and not the uh a man of God. Oh no, there isn't God in anywhere, more like the devil's in him, but exactly.

Ken Paxton Record And Controversy

Steven Killfoil 9:04

Anyway, so let's talk about Ken Paxton.

Mady Killfoil 9:08

Yeah, if you followed Texas politics for even five minutes, you've heard his name.

Steven Killfoil 9:14

Oh yeah, and you've probably heard the accusations too. Lord knows they've had a million commercials on it.

Mady Killfoil 9:20

Uh, maybe five accusations.

Steven Killfoil 9:23

Maybe fifty.

Mady Killfoil 9:24

Maybe enough accusations to feel an entire Bucky's parking lot.

Steven Killfoil 9:30

Mm-hmm. But the major political reality is this the Texas House impeached Ken Paxton in 2023, but the Texas Senate acquitted him, acquitted him on all impeachment articles after a very lengthy, costly trial. He remained attorney general and later won statewide elections afterward.

Mady Killfoil 9:58

Paxton supporters argue that voters have repeatedly heard accusations and still continue electing him because they believe he fights for conservative causes. It's not just that we believe. We know because he proved it.

Steven Killfoil 10:18

Yeah, I mean several times. When you're acquitted, that means you're innocent.

Mady Killfoil 10:22

Um you are clear, yeah. You are cleared of all the accusations that the Democrats uh brought upon you.

Steven Killfoil 10:30

Yeah, and Democrats are famous for pointing fingers and placing blame and trying to they're such bad liars now that they can't even lie good anymore.

Mady Killfoil 10:40

But that's all they can do, too.

Steven Killfoil 10:42

That's all they got. No intelligence, pathological liars, thieves, criminals, crooks, thefts. I mean, let's get them the hell out of our government.

Mady Killfoil 10:53

The list goes on and on.

Steven Killfoil 10:54

Oh, yeah.

Mady Killfoil 10:56

With their so-called qualities.

Steven Killfoil 10:58

Yeah. Well, many of Ken Paxton's supporters point to his work on border security, lawsuits against federal agencies, election integrity issues, and conservative legal challenges.

Mady Killfoil 11:12

His opponents argue that addicts concerns remain relevant.

Steven Killfoil 11:17

Which is exactly why this race will be one of the most heavily debated Senate races in America. And I cannot wait to see that jackass, Talarico, try to go toe-to-toe with Paxton. That's going to be a beautiful debate. So, those of you who are fans of debate, as I am, I think we all look forward to that. Pop some popcorn and let the battle begin.

Mady Killfoil 11:44

Yeah. And I am sure that the Texans, the people that the majority of the people that live here in Texas know who the nominee should be, the elected person should be, because he will represent uh us all the way in all our beliefs, and he will fight to keep our state red. That's very important. We need to be Republicans till the end of the world.

Steven Killfoil 12:18

Yes. Now, why this election matters?

Why The Senate Seat Matters

Steven Killfoil 12:22

Well, this election isn't just about personalities.

Mady Killfoil 12:26

It's about the direction of Texas.

Steven Killfoil 12:28

The next senator will vote on federal judges, border security legislation, spending bills, military funding, tax policy, energy policy.

Mady Killfoil 12:42

Texas is one of the largest economies in the world, if you didn't know that.

Steven Killfoil 12:48

Yes, the decisions made by Texas senators affect the entire nation.

Mady Killfoil 12:55

Yeah, Steven, have you noticed anyone becomes a political expert during election season?

Steven Killfoil 13:04

Oh, absolutely.

Mady Killfoil 13:08

A guy who couldn't find his own mailbox suddenly has a 12-point plan for federal monetary policy. And if you will ask him, he doesn't even know what that is.

Steven Killfoil 13:22

Right. Boy, he shares it out at two o'clock in the morning on Facebook.

Mady Killfoil 13:27

Yeah, usually in all capital letters. And he's doing it early in the morning, so nobody will be there to comment. Yeah.

Steven Killfoil 13:36

And it's probably an asinine plan to begin with. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

Sponsor Break And Santa Stephen

Steven Killfoil 13:42

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Mady Killfoil 13:50

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Steven Killfoil 13:57

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Mady Killfoil 14:04

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Steven Killfoil 14:10

Woohoo! Believe it or not, Christmas is now just 200 days away.

Mady Killfoil 14:16

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Steven Killfoil 14:17

And now for a commercial announcement from our man from the North Pole, the Santa Steven. He's coming soon.

Bing Crosby and Singers 14:36

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Steven Killfoil 14:58

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The Santa Steven 15:22

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Mady Killfoil 15:27

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Steven Killfoil 15:33

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Mady Killfoil 16:28

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Steven Killfoil 16:37

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The Santa Steven 16:47

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Mady Killfoil 16:52

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Steven Killfoil 17:00

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Bing Crosby and Singers 17:10

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Mady Killfoil 17:31

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Steven Killfoil 17:40

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Turnout And Voting Accountability

Steven Killfoil 18:05

Well, let's get out and vote. Let's talk turnout.

Mady Killfoil 18:11

Because elections aren't decided by people who complain. And remember what I told you last time? I saw a quote somewhere and I thought it was funny, but also true. If you didn't vote, you don't have any right to complain. And this is so true.

Steven Killfoil 18:32

That's a fact. Yeah. You can't bitch about it if you didn't vote.

Mady Killfoil 18:36

Exactly.

Steven Killfoil 18:37

You're stuck like Chuck with who you got.

Mady Killfoil 18:40

Exactly.

Steven Killfoil 18:42

So they are decided by people who vote.

Mady Killfoil 18:47

Many statewide races are won by surprisingly small percentages.

Steven Killfoil 18:55

The people who show up decide the outcome.

Mady Killfoil 19:00

Yes. And the people who stay home let somebody else decide for them. So remember what I told you. If you have the right to vote, go out and exercise it. Yeah.

Claims About Election Integrity

Steven Killfoil 19:14

What happens in in a communist uh government, Mady, with regards to voting? Tell the people out there how that works.

Mady Killfoil 19:24

Well, I mean, we had the right to vote, but the the elections were like the Democrats are doing here, they were stolen because the person that they wanted to win won. And it is what it is. But if they um will think that you are not going to vote their way, or for whatever reason you stepped on their toes, they will take that right away from you. And and that's you know

Steven Killfoil 20:02

Yeah, exactly.

Mady Killfoil 20:03

That's something that that shouldn't happen in a country that uh is the the the most liberal and democratic country in the world, and the elections should be uh free and and and honest, and they shouldn't uh steal the elections. I am so oh concerned and also mad about what's happening in California right now. The people in California want a change and they want Republicans uh in power because they want a change, and the Democrats keep bringing mail-in votes 36-48 hours after the election day. This is why it's called the election day. It's not the election week, it's not the election month, it's the election day, 24 hours, and that's it. And every vote turns democratic. So this is how they are stealing the election. So I'm hoping that somebody will do something and fight against uh this theft, and they will uh maybe cancel the elections. I don't know, prove that they they stole the elections there because California uh deserves deserves better. Uh we all know that. California is a it's a nice great state with with great people, but the Democrats are are keeping it.

Steven Killfoil 21:26

They're screwing it up like they do everything they touch.

Mady Killfoil 21:30

Yeah, stealing stealing the the power away from from the right people, from the good people, the people that want the best for that state and for the uh people that that live there. So it's in God's hands right now. Yeah. So we we can only pray and hope.

Steven Killfoil 21:50

Yeah, and just a little bit of history reflection. The only

Communism Warnings And Romania Story

Steven Killfoil 21:54

way you get rid of a tyrant, a communist dictator, is a revolution. Through execution. Look at the past. And those of you out there who are friends or acquaintances of mine who thinks that socialism is the bee's knees, I want you to remember this. When the tyrants take over and make your life hell, the only way out of it is execution.

Mady Killfoil 22:22

Look at what happened in Romania in 1989.

Steven Killfoil 22:27

After how many years?

Mady Killfoil 22:29

Twenty-five years of tyranny. And people said, you know what? Enough it's enough. We just we don't want it anymore. We don't need it anymore. We want to live uh better. Free in a democratic republic and in a democratic country. And this is exactly what uh what they did. A lot of people died, you know, especially young people because they were so happy that they will not have to live under a communist regime. And you know, we can stay here and talk for hours, and I can tell you how quote unquote good it was uh under that communist regime. You guys don't want it. Whomever is telling you that socialism and communism is good, is better than what we have right now, they have no idea what they are talking about. If you will ask them to explain it to you, they will be speechless because they do not know anything about it. What only what somebody else told them to say. And look what's happening in New York with Mam Dami. He he tried and he's failing miserably because it's not working, it's not

Steven Killfoil 23:44

it doesn't work. Communism does not work, it just doesn't work.

Mady Killfoil 23:49

No, no,

Steven Killfoil 23:50

never has, never will.

Mady Killfoil 23:52

No, never been in this beautiful country of you know the United States of America. No, we just won't know. Don't we don't want, we do not want this here.

Steven Killfoil 24:04

Exactly. Hey,

Vote Legally Research Candidates Closing

Steven Killfoil 24:05

and Californians, if you gotta get them out, vote them out. Let's do it legally first. Let's let's vote them out and then show the whole world. Yeah, we are not inciting at anything, no violence, no, we are not violent people, you know. Steven is kind of joking, but um it's the truth. You the people have to do something to uh bring back uh the power in your own hands. So whatever ways you think are the best, this is what you need to do. But you know, the legal side, the legal way, it's the best way. So just uh don't let them steal the elections. And I think that this is the this is the best way to to to prove that they they were wrong and you guys are right. So hopefully California will turn uh red pretty soon. Get out and vote. Yeah. Research the candidates, read their platforms, watch the debates, check their voting records, what did they stand for? Then cast an informed vote.

Mady Killfoil 25:17

Well, whatever you are supporting Ken Paxton or James Talarico,

Steven Killfoil 25:23

or another candidate entirely,

Mady Killfoil 25:25

participate.

Steven Killfoil 25:27

Because voting matters.

Mady Killfoil 25:30

Taxes matters.

Steven Killfoil 25:31

And your voice matters.

Both Steven and Mady 25:34

Get out and vote.

Steven Killfoil 25:38

Thanks for joining us on Cross Roads Podcast. Reach out to us at Crossroads podcast2023@ gmail. com.

Both Steven and Mady 25:49

Until next time, we'll see you at the top. Bye bye. Bye bye.

Steven Killfoil 26:00

Cross Roads Podcast. For Those Who Want to Be In The Know, Who's your daddy?