A review of now-deleted social media posts shows Brianna Menard, the girlfriend of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, using inflammatory rhetoric during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, including claims that police were committing “genocide” against Black Americans and support for a convicted member of a militant group responsible for killing police officers, the Washington Free Beacon reports.
Menard, who dated Talarico while serving as chief of staff in his state House office, posted frequently at the height of the unrest following George Floyd’s death. Her X account featured Black Lives Matter imagery, including the movement’s signature raised fist symbol. In one exchange from May 30, 2020, she criticized radio host Bobby Bones after he lamented that riots were overshadowing discussions about inequality. Menard accused him of focusing on property damage while ignoring Floyd’s death, asking why he had not spoken out about what she described as the “genocide of black people.”
In June 2020, Menard shared a petition from the activist group Color of Change advocating for the release of Jalil Muntaqim, also known as Anthony Bottom, a former Black Liberation Army member convicted in the 1975 killings of two New York City police officers. The petition described him as a respected community figure and called for clemency after he contracted COVID-19.
The resurfaced posts highlight the progressive activism surrounding Talarico before he secured the Democratic nomination in a state that favored Donald Trump by a wide margin in 2024. Talarico himself has drawn scrutiny for past remarks, including a statement that “God is non-binary,” which he later said he regretted. He has also criticized the presence of police in schools, previously arguing that increasing law enforcement on campuses contributes to a “culture of violence,” though his campaign has emphasized that he does not support defunding the police and has backed funding for law enforcement.
Menard worked as Talarico’s chief of staff from early 2022 to early 2023 before moving to a similar role for another Texas Democratic lawmaker, Salman Bhojani. Talarico has said the couple has been together for about four years, suggesting their relationship began while she worked in his office. His campaign reportedly did not respond to requests for comment.
She now serves as director of TEXPAC, the political arm of the Texas Medical Association, which has criticized Republican opposition to gender-affirming care for minors. Menard also holds a position with a local food co-op and describes herself online as a “committed vegan.”
Additional posts show Menard using derogatory slang for white people while discussing debates over critical race theory and making lighthearted comments about NBC political correspondent Steve Kornacki. She reportedly did not respond to requests for comment sent through her current organization.