rights
GOP official says James Talarico should lose election because he "couldn't lift a 10-pound weight"
By Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation
· July 10, 2026
· 3 min read
Anti-LGBTQ+ Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) argued that people should vote against state Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (D) because he can't lift weights. "He's a lightweight," the 76-year-old said of Talarico. "He's a 90-pound weakling. He couldn't lift a 10-pound weight in the gym if
Key takeaway "He's a lightweight," the 76-year-old said of Talarico.
Why this matters
The comments made by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick about James Talarico's physical strength and masculinity are part of a larger pattern of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and behavior. By questioning Talarico's masculinity and implying that he may be gay or transgender, Patrick is attempting to use homophobic and transphobic stereotypes to discredit his opponent. This tactic is particularly concerning given Patrick's history of attacking LGBTQ+ rights, including his opposition to marriage equality and his response to the Pulse nightclub shooting. The fact that Patrick has repeatedly used similar language to attack other male politicians' masculinity, such as Beto O'Rourke, suggests that this is a deliberate strategy to appeal to discriminatory attitudes. As the election season continues, it will be important to watch how these tactics are received by voters and how they impact the broader conversation around LGBTQ+ rights in Texas and nationally.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Anti-LGBTQ+ Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) argued that people should vote against state Rep. and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (D) because he can't lift weights. "He's a lightweight," the 76-year-old said of Talarico. "He's a 90-pound weakling. He couldn't lift a 10-pound weight in the gym if
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alex Bollinger at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .