Republicans have spent weeks accusing Texas State Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat representing the 50th District, of faking a rightward shift on transgender issues as he pursues statewide office.

Hidden camera footage involving figures familiar with his campaign posture is now fueling those accusations.

An undercover journalist for the Daily Wire recorded Rev. Babs Miller, a minister at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, discussing Talarico and his apparent effort to broaden his political appeal.

The church has long been associated with Talarico.

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Talarico previously drew Republican criticism for professing his love for “trans children,” claiming there are seven genders, and saying that "God is non-binary."

His more recent attempt to reposition himself has prompted skepticism from Republicans who remember those declarations.

Miller appeared unconvinced by the change. "He's getting some advice that I don't think he should be following."

She also predicted that Talarico would abandon the new posture after winning office.

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"I can guarantee you that once he gets elected, he'll change his tune back to where he was."

When the undercover journalist suggested that Talarico "has to play this game" to win, Miller agreed.

"That's what his campaign has convinced him of."

Miller also said the Democrat Party was softening its posture on transgender issues.

She said "his staff is encouraging him to kind of do the same thing, just for the next 50… days."

Her assessment of that campaign strategy was blunt.

"I think it's bad advice personally, but if it helps him win, okay…"

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That exchange strikes directly at the criticism surrounding Talarico’s pivot.

Rather than describing a genuine change in his beliefs, Miller portrayed the shift as temporary campaign advice intended to help him secure victory.

Miller has been part of the St. Andrew's community since the middle of the 1990s.

She was ordained there in 2014 as an openly lesbian chaplain, retired shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned to the church in 2022.

She was not the only person recorded discussing Talarico’s repositioning.

Separate hidden camera footage captured Texas Democrat Party organizer Jennifer Miranda, identified as a manager with Texas Together and the Texas Democrat Party, describing the shift as a calculated political move.

Miranda said the strategy was designed to reassure Texans with conservative leanings who were uneasy about Paxton.

"I would say right now he's trying to target a wider net, which unfortunately means being more palatable to Republicans here in Texas. He really needs to win those Texans over," Miranda said.

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The remarks from Miller and Miranda point in the same direction.

Both described Talarico’s changing presentation as an effort to attract voters beyond the constituency that embraced his earlier statements on transgender issues.

None of this should surprise voters who have followed Talarico’s record.

It points to his years of promoting radical gender ideology through both the legislature and the pulpit before changing course while seeking statewide office.

The timing is central to the criticism. After years of supporting transgender ideology and repeatedly discussing “trans kids,” Talarico’s apparent change arrived as he was trying to appeal to a wider Texas electorate.

The commentary previously argued that Talarico’s pivot suggested his internal polling was weaker than public polls indicated.

It now presents Miller’s recorded remarks as confirmation that his campaign shift is about winning rather than an authentic change in position.

A candidate who was comfortably ahead would have little need for such a pivot.

Miller’s prediction that Talarico will “change his tune back” after the election only adds to Republican suspicions that voters are being sold a temporary act.

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