Fox News contributor Emily Compagno called Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, “a demon in human skin” on Friday’s episode of “Outnumbered,” escalating the network’s attacks on the candidate as he mounts an unexpectedly competitive campaign against Republican Ken Paxton.
Compagno’s remarks came in response to Talarico’s description of the American flag as a “complicated” symbol, which was featured in a conservative political action committee attack ad. “This person is a demon in human skin and they need to make sure he does not go anywhere—to the nation’s capital, where he can actually do some real damage,” Compagno said on the program.
The Fox News contributor framed her criticism around Talarico’s policy positions, saying his election would bring “real damage” to Texas. “Every single voter there needs to understand exactly who they would vote into office, which is an anti-business, anti-commerce, anti-capitalist, anti-Texas Texan,” she said, urging Republicans to spread messaging about the candidate across the state.
Talarico, 37, a former middle school teacher who has served in the Texas House since 2018, won the Democratic primary in March 2026 and has emerged as the party’s strongest Senate candidate in years. A poll earlier in the week showed him in a dead heat with Paxton, the state’s attorney general, signaling Democrats’ best opportunity in recent cycles to flip a Texas Senate seat.
Talarico’s campaign responded to Compagno’s attack with a statement from spokesman JT Ennis: “Our campaign can confirm that James is in fact a human, and not a demon in human skin. James believes the American flag means freedom, opportunity, and hope—and this broken, corrupt political system is robbing hardworking Texans of the American dream that our flag promises.”
Compagno’s attack was the latest in a series of escalating criticisms from Fox News personalities targeting Talarico. The network has seized on his previous remarks in which he said God is non-binary and that there are six genders. Republicans have also falsely accused him of being vegan and attempted to cast him as a “freak.” In May, President Donald Trump called Talarico “the worst Texas candidate” he had “ever seen,” citing his comments on gender, his description of white men as a domestic terror threat, and his past remarks about religion.
Paxton, who won the Republican primary in May by defeating four-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn with Trump’s backing, faces significant vulnerabilities in the general election. He has been indicted on state securities fraud charges, hit with federal civil fraud charges, accused by former staff of taking bribes, impeached by the Texas House, accused of adultery by his wife, and accused of abusing his office to help a donor.
Sources
- Mediaite — Compagno’s full remarks and context for the “demon in human skin” comment on “Outnumbered”
- The Daily Beast — Compagno’s attack, Talarico’s response, polling data showing the race is competitive, and background on Paxton’s scandals
- Ballotpedia — Talarico’s Democratic primary victory in March 2026 and his status as the 2026 Senate nominee
