Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico declared voter fraud "nonexistent in Texas" during a 2021 appearance recorded by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, even as he faces accusations of violating state election laws himself. The video, exclusively unearthed by The Federalist, contradicts mounting evidence that Talarico voted in five elections using his parents' address after purchasing his own home nearby.

The Hypocrisy Unfolds

Talarico, who accused his Republican opponent Attorney General Ken Paxton of voter fraud earlier this year, made his sweeping claim during the 87th Texas Legislative Session Webinar Recap. "Voter fraud is nonexistent in Texas," he stated confidently, dismissing concerns about election integrity.

Yet ProPublica and The Texas Tribune investigations found that Talarico himself voted five times using his parents' address after buying a home in the same area, potentially violating state voting laws that require voters to register at their actual residence. The practice mirrors the same behavior Talarico criticized Paxton for during their contentious Senate race.

Pattern of Voter Fraud in Texas

Talarico's claim that voter fraud is nonexistent ignores documented cases in the state. Monica Mendez, a southeast Texas woman, was convicted of 26 felony counts of election fraud. Attorney General Paxton's office has prosecuted numerous cases of voter fraud over the years, undermining Talarico's blanket dismissal of the issue.

Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, noted both Talarico and Paxton have run afoul of election law technicalities. "I think it could be reasonably used as a charge of hypocrisy against either of them because both of them have condemned the other for an action quite similar to what they themselves appear to have done," Wilson told The Texas Tribune.

Questions Remain Unanswered

Talarico has dodged media questions about his residency and voter registration, according to reports. His campaign provided records showing he registered to vote at his parents' address three days before the one year deadline to qualify for his House district, but the records do not explain why he continued using that address for years after purchasing his own property.

Paxton spokesperson Madison Cercy accused Talarico of defrauding voters. "The only person who has committed voter fraud in the Texas Senate race is James Talarico," she told reporters, though she did not provide evidence beyond the residency discrepancies revealed by news investigations.

The revelations raise serious questions about Talarico's credibility as he campaigns on election integrity reforms. Voters will decide in November whether they believe his defense or whether his actions speak louder than his words.