Texas politics has once again become the stage for a heated cultural showdown. The attorney general, Ken Paxton labeled RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Alyssa Edwards as “sick and twisted” after Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico mentioned her as his favorite drag performer. In response, Edwards posted an “open letter” on X, questioning Paxton’s motives and defending her reputation.
Social-media exchange that sparked the feud
Paxton’s initial post on September 14 featured a brief video montage of Edwards dancing, intercut with images of children whose faces were blurred. The caption framed Talarico’s answer to a question about his favorite drag queen as evidence that the Democrat was “too weird and too radical for Texas.” A second video followed, titled with a stark “VIEWER WARNING,” and repeated the claim that Edwards was a “sick and twisted” figure. Edwards reposted the clip, naming herself “your favorite politician’s favorite drag queen” and closed with the biblical admonition, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Paxton’s broader culture-war tactics
The episode is part of a larger pattern of legal and rhetorical battles waged by Paxton against LGBTQ+ visibility. Earlier this year he sued the city of Denton over its “Big Gay Swim Day” Pride event, arguing it conflicted with Texas’ sex-segregated facilities law. In December 2025, the state introduced a tip-off system that encouraged citizens to report transgender individuals using bathrooms, linking the scheme to the Texas Women’s Privacy Act. These actions illustrate an ongoing strategy to frame drag and transgender expression as threats to public morality.
Edwards’s professional résumé and her counter-argument
In her open letter, Edwards highlighted that she is not merely a performer but also a choreographer entrepreneur, and mentor. She referenced her company, the Beyond Belief Dance Company describing it as a venue where young people can “discover their creativity and ignite their passion.” By foregrounding her contributions to dance education and community building, Edwards sought to shift the conversation from a personal attack to a broader discussion about the value of the arts and LGBTQ+ representation in Texas.
Political implications for the Senate race
Paxton’s focus on Edwards appears aimed at undermining Talarico, who currently leads in polls. Talarico’s campaign has faced criticism for accepting donations from firms tied to Chinese investments, a point Paxton has weaponized despite his own party’s hesitance to back him financially. Meanwhile, speculation has arisen that billionaire Elon Musk may inject millions into the race to protect Paxton’s anti-trans platform, a development that could reshape the dynamics of the contest.
As the campaign heats up, Edwards has continued to diversify her public profile, recently releasing a country-music collaboration with America’s Got Talent finalist Kameron Ross. Her blend of artistic ambition and outspoken advocacy demonstrates how drag culture can influence political discourse far beyond the nightclub stage.
