Drag performer Alyssa Edwards answered Ken Paxton’s Sept. 22 digital ad with an open letter posted Sept. 23, saying she did not understand his intent and urging the Texas Republican to focus on policy and leadership. “Texas is big enough for all of us,” she wrote.
Paxton’s ad, “Meet Alyssa Edwards,” followed a Sept. 14 video in which Democrat James Talarico named Edwards as his favorite Texas drag queen. Paxton’s campaign said the ad focused on what it described as Edwards’ inappropriate conduct in front of children and indoctrination; spokeswoman Madison Cercy called Talarico’s remark disqualifying and said he should apologize and condemn Edwards.
In her letter, Edwards described herself as an educator with 30 years of experience, a choreographer, entrepreneur and mentor. She highlighted her Beyond Belief Dance Company, saying it grew from a YMCA community recreation program and was one of her proudest accomplishments.
