The James Talarico campaign says the Democratic Senate nominee in Texas is a "proud capitalist," even though he once described capitalism as an "oppressive system" that needed to be dismantled — and predicted that Texas’ fossil fuel industry was "not gonna last."The remarks, made during a resurfaced 2020 Zoom call with Sierra Club activists, are drawing fresh scrutiny as Talarico faces Republican nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Senate race that could help determine control of the chamber.The comments were first reported by CNN early Tuesday and were seized on by Lone Star Liberty PAC, an outside political group aligned with Paxton, and Senate Leadership Fund, a leading super PAC backing Senate Republicans.THESE 12 MIDTERM RACES WILL DECIDE WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE SENATEDemocratic Senate nominee James Talarico, left, is facing off with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee, in a crucial Senate showdown in the 2026 midterm elections.(Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images)On the call, Talarico is heard saying that the U.S.
was facing a "multi-faceted threat" of a climate, economic, and social crisis.After an activist asked how to address the harm suffered by communities of color by climate change, Talarico responded, "I’m so thankful that you asked this question and also thankful that young activists have really drawn the link between climate change and white supremacy and capitalism in our country.""I think only understanding the ways that all three of those oppressive systems work together are we going to be able to begin the process of dismantling them."DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUBState Rep.James Talarico is the Democratic U.S.
Senate nominee in Texas.(John Moore/Getty Images)Talarico, during the same forum, forecast that Texas' fossil fuel industry wouldn't last."We all know that Texas has been a leader in oil and gas, but in many ways that’s like being the leader in casse...