Drag Race's Alyssa Edwards calls out "obsessed" Republican: "Texas is big enough for all of us"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/09/drag-races-alyssa-edwards-calls-out-obsessed-republican-texas-is-big-enough-for-all-of-us/ 🔗John Russell (24 Sep 2026)
Alyssa Edwards has responded to anti-LGBTQ+ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after the Republican Senate candidate posted a video attacking Democratic opponent James Talarico featuring clips from the RuPaul's Drag Race alum's TV appearances.
"I'm not sure I fully understand your motive or intention in attempting to disparage my name, my character, or my reputation. But I do know this: the way we choose to speak about others often says far more about our own character than it ever will about theirs," Edwards, whose real name is Justin Johnson, wrote in an open letter to Paxton posted on X Wednesday.
Edwards, who grew up in Mesquite, Texas, was thrust into the battle for one of the state's two Senate seats earlier this month when Talarico named her as his favorite Texas drag performer at a campaign event in Houston.
On September 14, Paxton reposted video of the encounter, originally posted by RNC Research, on X, writing, "What normal person can name their favorite drag queen this quickly?" The Texas attorney general went on to accuse Talarico of "advocating for children to dress in drag" and of being "too weird and too radical for Texas."
Alyssa Edwards has responded to anti-LGBTQ+ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after the Republican Senate candidate posted a video attacking Democratic opponent James Talarico featuring clips from the RuPaul's Drag Race alum's TV appearances.
"My life may look different from yours, but difference does not diminish character, faith, service, or a person's ability to positively contribute to their community," she continued. "Ultimately, I am proud of who I am. I know who I am. I know what I stand for, and what I still hope to accomplish."
"Texas is big enough for all of us," she added, signing the letter with her birth name.------------------------------
@Sarah B
