James Talarico Called Capitalism ‘Oppressive,’ Dismissed Texas Oil

Back in 2020, Texas senatorial candidate James Talarico told Sierra Club activists that climate change, white supremacy, and capitalism were interconnected “oppressive systems” that had to be confronted together.

“I’m so thankful that you asked this question and also thankful that young activists have really drawn the link between climate change and white supremacy and capitalism in our country,” Talarico said during the September 2020 Zoom event, in remarks first reported by CNN.

“And I think only understanding the ways that all three of those oppressive systems work together are we going to be able to begin the process of dismantling them.”

Talarico was 31 at the time and seeking reelection to the Texas state legislature.

He also had a bleak forecast for one of his state’s defining industries.

“We all know that Texas has been a leader in oil and gas, but in many ways that’s like being the leader in cassette tapes in the 1980s,” Talarico said. “That industry is not gonna last.”

In a private Zoom meeting with Austin Sierra Club activists, James talarico says capitalism is an oppressive system he wants to dismantle:

“I’m … thankful that young activists have really drawn the link between climate change and white supremacy and capitalism in our country.… pic.twitter.com/sPDDXg6l5q

— Lone Star Liberty PAC (@LoneStar_PAC) September 1, 2026

That is a striking line in a state that still produces roughly 43% of U.S. crude oil, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Talarico argued Texas needed to get ahead of the transition rather than cling to fossil fuels, saying the state should lead on the next generation of energy.

And Texas has, in fact, become an energy giant beyond oil and gas. It is the nation’s largest wind-power producer and has also become a major force in utility-scale solar.

But the old comments still create an obvious political problem for a Democrat trying to win statewide in Texas.

More over at The New York Post:

Democrat James Talarico called capitalism ‘oppressive system’ that should be dismantled in 2020 forum https://t.co/Mgo2f0tjNx pic.twitter.com/SZgQTkMqi2

— New York Post (@nypost) September 1, 2026