Ken Paxton Targets Alyssa Edwards in GOP Primary Attack — Publicist Calls It an 'Obsession'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has escalated attacks in the Republican primary race by repeatedly spotlighting Alyssa Edwards, the famed drag performer, after Democratic front-runner James Talarico named her as his favorite drag queen.

Paxton first shared a clip on X (formerly Twitter) on Sept. 14 showing Talarico answering the question. The post asked, "What normal person can name their favorite drag queen this quickly?" and accused Talarico of "advocating for children to dress in drag" while labeling him "too weird and too radical for Texas."

He amplified that messaging this week with a graphic clip aimed directly at Edwards, whose given name is Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, 46, a Mesquite native and alum of RuPaul's Drag Race (Season 5 and All Stars 2). The post, topped with a "VIEWER WARNING," called her "sick and twisted" and stitched footage of Edwards performing — including brief, blurred images of children — alongside Talarico's comment, ending with an all-caps title card: "James Talarico: Too Weird, Too Radical for Texas."

Response From Edwards' Team

Waylon Tate, Edwards' publicist, publicly called out Paxton on Instagram and Threads, saying, "Ken Paxton seems to be obsessed with my client, Alyssa Edwards." Tate explained the behind-the-scenes role of PR — from drafting statements to deciding not to engage — and criticized the repeated use of Edwards' name for political gain as "desperate."

"Sometimes I write a statement and sometimes I make the phone call... and sometimes I watch the same politician repeatedly use my client's name to get attention, and there's really only one word for it. Desperate. Stay tuned." — Waylon Tate

Edwards herself reshared Paxton's post and leaned into the attention, calling herself "Your favorite politician's favorite Drag Queen," thanking Talarico for recognizing the arts' role in Texas, and closing with the biblical admonition from Matthew 7:1: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." She has continued performing and recently released a country music collaboration with Dallas artist Kameron Ross.

Legal And Political Context

The controversy comes amid ongoing fights over drag and LGBTQ+ rights in Texas. In a recent federal decision, U.S. District Judge David Hittner blocked the state's 2023 law that criminalized certain "sexually oriented" public performances, concluding it violated constitutional rights. The ruling noted the odd prosecutorial suggestion that a drag impersonation of the late Dolly Parton could be criminal and suggested that offended audience members "just don't go."

Politically, Paxton is trailing Talarico in recent polls. The exchange over Edwards also intersects with scrutiny of campaign finances: reporters have said Talarico's campaign accepted roughly $40,000 from donors linked to companies that facilitate Chinese investments — a tactic Paxton has criticized. Additionally, NBC News has reported that Elon Musk has already contributed about $5.2 million to races across Texas and has been urged to invest further, potentially altering the race's dynamics.

Observers note that cultural issues, including anti-trans positions and debates over arts in public life, are coloring the contest. Paxton's record and rhetoric on trans issues have drawn attention, while Talarico has shifted his stance during the campaign and emphasizes economic themes, arguing the central divide is "top versus bottom" — elites versus working people.

As the primary heats up, Edwards' involvement — willingly or not — has become a flashpoint in a larger debate about culture, freedom of expression, and outside influence in Texas politics.