Patrick Shares Talarico Clip; Edwards Responds
Danica Patrick reposted a clip of James Talarico naming drag queen Alyssa Edwards, which Ken Paxton's campaign then used in an attack ad.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Motorsports
Danica Patrick posted a campaign clip on her Instagram Story on November 4 in which James Talarico said his favorite drag queen in Texas is probably Alyssa Edwards. Paxton later posted an attack ad using the clip, and Edwards responded with a public letter.
Why it matters
The exchange shows how a clip from a campaign interview can be repurposed into political advertising after an election. It also draws a public figure's name into a race that Talarico won over Paxton.
Talarico's win over Paxton is the first Democratic victory for a Texas U.S. Senate seat since 1988. Edwards, 46, appeared on season 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race and season 2 of All Stars.
The players
Danica Patrick
Former professional racing driver and retired IndyCar and NASCAR competitor who posted the clip to her Instagram Story.
James Talarico
Texas Democrat who won the U.S. Senate race against Ken Paxton.
Ken Paxton
Texas Attorney General who lost the U.S. Senate race to Talarico and whose campaign released the attack ad.
Alyssa Edwards
Drag performer from Mesquite, Texas, who appeared on seasons 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race and season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.
The details
Patrick resurfaced a clip in which Talarico was asked, "Who's your favorite drag queen in Texas?" Paxton's ad was captioned "Meet Alyssa Edwards: James Talarico's favorite sick and twisted drag queen," and Edwards responded with a public letter.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Talarico defeats Paxton in the Texas Senate race.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Patrick posts the clip to her Instagram Story.
Season Trajectory
Talarico's win over Paxton breaks a long Democratic drought in Texas Senate races that began in 1988. The clip dispute arose after the election, when campaign material was reused in a post-election context.
The clip was shared on a personal account and then reused in a paid attack ad. Readers watching campaign content should note that an informal interview answer can be repackaged in later advertising.
The takeaway
Campaign remarks can outlast the race that produced them, and the way a clip is framed can change its meaning. Viewers should check the original context before accepting how a short clip is presented.
Further reading
For more on political coverage, see Motorsports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Us Weekly.
