Polygraph

James Talarico voted to allow violent criminals out on zero dollar cash bail.

Posted by The Benny Show, Checked

Polygraph verdictTrue
Sources
2 support1 context
Said
1 time·
Confidence
60%
The Benny ShowOct 26, 2026
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66 claimsThe check →

Sources show Talarico voted against 2021 HB 20 and related bills that restricted cashless personal bonds for people accused of violent or sexual crimes, which is the substance of the claim. The claim is a partisan characterization of those votes, and he later backed some tighter bail rules, which the sources note but which does not reverse the earlier votes.

What was said

… And, and look, in Texas here right now, got James Talarico running, my Democrat opponent. I mean, these are people that have caved in to the lawless mob. They voted to defund the police. They voted to allow violent criminals out on zero dollar cash bail. They even support these anti-law enforcement groups that said jails are racist and outdated and need to be ended. I mean, that's wrong. That compromises our family safety. And, and Benny, you know, I've got four little ones. …
The Benny Show · · from the transcriptPost →

What we found

Supports. The Daily Signal reports Talarico voted against HB 20 in the 87th session, which restricted cashless personal bonds and tightened bail for defendants accused of violent or sexual crimes.[1]

Supports. AOL reports Talarico voted against a May 2021 bill, HB 20, that barred personal bonds for people arrested for sexual or violent crimes and barred charities from posting bond for violent-crime defendants.[2]

Context. AOL also notes Talarico eventually backed some tighter bail rules last year, so his record is not uniformly opposed to bail restrictions.[2]

Context. The Daily Signal piece is critical of Talarico and the claim echoes his Republican opponent's campaign framing, so it is not independent confirmation of the characterization; the vote records are the substantive evidence.[1][3]

Sources

3 sources: 3 not rated

  1. 1Talarico's Record Includes Votes Against Bail Reform, Crime Penalties, and Police Funding Measuresdailysignal.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
  2. 2Talarico previously fought against Texas legislation banning predators from getting cashless bail - AOLaol.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
  3. 3James Talarico: Too Radical for Texasjamestalaricotx.com · not rated · cited for: context

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