By Trendsetter Tribune 
A TikTok influencer’s claim that Texas state Rep. James Talarico called former opponent Colin Allred a “mediocre Black man” has ignited turmoil in the Democratic Senate primary, prompting denials and intensifying racial tensions among voters.
The already tense Texas Democratic Senate primary has been plunged into another wave of controversy after a TikTok influencer accused state Rep. James Talarico of making a racially offensive remark about former Rep. Colin Allred. Talarico says the claim misrepresents what he said.
The accusation was posted Sunday by influencer Morgan Thompson, who uses the handle @morga_tt. In her video, she alleged that Talarico told her in a private conversation after a Jan. 12 town hall in Plano that he had expected to run “against a mediocre Black man, not a formidable, intelligent Black woman.” The comment was allegedly a reference to Allred, who exited the Senate race in December just before Rep. Jasmine Crockett entered. Both Crockett and Allred are Black; Talarico is white.
Talarico denied using racial language and said Thompson mischaracterized their exchange. In a statement, he said that he praised Crockett’s political strengths while criticizing what he described as Allred’s “mediocre” style of campaigning — not Allred’s identity. “I would never attack him on the basis of race,” Talarico said.
Thompson, however, insisted she stands by her account. In a follow-up video Monday, she said she has no recording of the conversation but shared photos of herself with Talarico and screenshots of texts she says were exchanged with a campaign staffer coordinating the meeting. She previously endorsed Talarico and worked with his campaign as part of its content creator outreach, but she has now thrown her support behind Crockett.
She acknowledged in an interview with POLITICO that the lack of an audio recording may invite doubt, but said the nature of the comment compelled her to speak publicly. She declined to provide the name of the staffer who allegedly facilitated the meeting.
The allegation has intensified racial divides already shaping the primary. Polling indicates Crockett holds strong support among Black voters, while Talarico leads with white and Latino voters. The dispute quickly spilled into public view when Allred responded.
“James, if you want to compliment Black women, just do it. Don’t do it while also tearing down a Black man,” Allred said in an Instagram video. Allred, now running for Congress in Texas’ 33rd District, added that the word “mediocre” might reflect Talarico’s insecurities rather than any assessment of him.
Crockett issued a statement saying Allred “drew a line in the sand” by addressing the allegations so directly. She said Allred’s response was not about personal offense but about standing up for people who have been demeaned.
Thompson explained that her meeting with Talarico stemmed from her dissatisfaction with his campaign sending fundraising messages from James Carville, whom she criticized for dismissing “woke” politics. She said her concerns led to a conversation with the campaign and eventually the disputed exchange with Talarico.
This dust-up is only the latest online controversy reshaping the race. Last month, hosts of the popular podcast “Las Culturistas” urged listeners not to donate to Crockett, criticizing her style — remarks supporters said were rooted in racist and sexist assumptions. The backlash forced an apology and sparked a broader debate over what types of Democratic candidates can succeed in states like Texas.
Allred’s spokesperson, Sandhya Raghavan, said his reaction reflects a frustration that extends beyond this specific allegation. She said calling a former NFL player, civil rights attorney, and congressman “mediocre” illustrates the “impossible standards” often placed on Black candidates. Allred, she added, refused to remain silent in the face of that disrespect.
As the primary approaches, the fallout from the allegation threatens to further polarize an already divided Democratic electorate in one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate races.