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Talarico campaigns alongside Democrat who called ICE ‘new KKK’ and demanded its abolition
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico praised Democratic congressional candidate Frederick Haynes III at a Thursday get-out-the-vote event, after Haynes spoke about immigration enforcement. Haynes called ICE the “new KKK” and said it should be abolished. Talarico has not formally endorsed Haynes, but the appearance may complicate his effort to present himself as a moderate who can appeal to Texas voters.
Haynes, a pastor running for the seat vacated by Rep. Jasmine Crockett, has described several issues, including climate policy and reparations, through the lens of racial justice. Talarico has also supported reparations, saying they align with his faith, while arguing that he can represent Texas despite disagreements with conservatives on race and gender. The article gives no poll figures or other measure of how the joint appearance may affect either campaign.
In short
- Talarico praised Haynes at a Texas campaign event.
- Haynes called ICE the “new KKK” and urged its abolition.
- Talarico has not formally endorsed Haynes.
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The case for
Appearing with Haynes can be seen as ordinary campaign solidarity with a fellow Democrat, not an endorsement of every statement he has made. Talarico may argue that voters can judge his own positions separately, and that discussing racial justice and immigration enforcement openly is consistent with his faith and political principles.
The case against
Sharing a stage with Haynes after his call to abolish ICE and comparison of it to the KKK may reasonably be read as lending those views legitimacy, even without a formal endorsement. For a candidate seeking to appeal to more moderate Texas voters, the appearance could raise questions about his judgement and how clearly he distinguishes his own positions from Haynes’s.
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