Texas Republicans accuse Talarico of abusing power for his lobbyist girlfriend.

Texas Republicans are raising alarms over the secret romance between Senate candidate James Talarico and his vegan girlfriend, Brianna Menard. Their relationship reportedly began while Menard was still employed as his chief of staff. As a lobbyist for the Texas Medical Association, Menard has spent thousands of dollars entertaining Democratic colleagues in the State House. Furious Republicans now label this arrangement an abuse of power and a serious conflict of interest.

Zach Kraft, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, told the Daily Mail that Talarico cannot claim to fight for hardworking Texans while literally in bed with special interests. Kraft added that clear evidence shows Talarico previously abused his office to help his girlfriend and demanded he come clean about every other time he bent the rules.

For years, Talarico kept his romance with the 30-year-old Menard under wraps before her identity was recently made public. The candidate had faced growing rumors about his sexuality from online trolls when he revealed last month that he was in a relationship with a woman he described as my rock and my best friend. On May 14, he told the Jamie Kern Lima podcast that they became best friends before falling in love, though he remained careful not to name her publicly.

Despite his campaign telling local media they had been a couple for four years and got together after she left his office, records unearthed by the Daily Mail cast doubt on that timeline. These documents suggest Talarico promoted Menard to the top role in his office close to when they started dating. He later helped secure another taxpayer-funded gig for her, allowing them to continue their relationship without fear of an appearance of impropriety.

A Texas lawmakers staff directory list from 2021 confirms that Menard was serving as Talarico's legislative director at that time. When his chief of staff, Michelle Castillo, left to join a nonprofit in January 2022, Talarico promoted Menard to the position soon after.

James Talarico secured his Senate campaign role over Rachel Bhalla, the former deputy chief of staff who now works for his Senate bid.

His campaign timeline claims Talarico and Brianna Menard began dating four years ago. This places the start of their romance around the time of her promotion to chief of staff.

Salman Bhojani, a fellow State Representative, admitted in a 2022 panel discussion that Talarico used his power to help his girlfriend secure a taxpayer-funded job later.

In a video that recently resurfaced, Bhojani stated, "As soon as I won my primary in March, I had a wonderful state representative send me an email that their chief of staff would love to get a job with our office." He then pointed to Menard, saying, "She's sitting right here, Brianna Menard."

Menard, who describes herself as a vegan and lover of cats and yoga, has reportedly spent thousands dining with Democratic colleagues as a lobbyist.

Bhojani announced Menard as his chief of staff in January 2023, months after Talarico and Menard allegedly started their relationship.

Some Republicans found this timing uncomfortable. An RNC spokesperson wrote on X that "James Talarico leveraged his position in the Texas Legislature to score his staffer — that he was romantically involved with — another taxpayer-funded job."

Texas law does not ban relationships between lawmakers and staff but requires "appropriate workplace conduct." This vague rule may have influenced Talarico's decision to move her to a new role.

Although they worked in different offices from 2023, Talarico kept their romance hidden. This is unusual in a state where politicians often showcase stable families to voters.

As Talarico's Senate campaign gains speed, his past romance faces fresh scrutiny. He raised a record $27 million in the first quarter, making him a top Democratic candidate for the Senate seat.

Republicans are now focusing on his relationship and Menard's subsequent work as a lobbyist.

Records show Menard spent $22,533 total on food, drinks, and gifts for Talarico's fellow lawmakers, their staff, and close family.

Reports from the Texas Ethics Commission do not specify whom she lobbied. It remains unclear if any spending involved her boyfriend or his current team.

On his campaign site, Talarico says he fights "rigged systems" and "puppet politicians" who serve billionaires and lobbyists.

However, he did not mention that Menard spent $22,533 over three years dining with lawmakers and staff while working for the Texas Medical Association.

Ethics filings show $21,733.02 was spent on food and beverages, with $764.13 on gifts.

A total of $6,733.42 went to state representatives, including Talarico, while $14,490.32 went to their staff.

The Ethics Commission reports do not detail specific targets, leaving the involvement of her boyfriend or his staff uncertain.

Menard's profile on TexasLobby.org lists her focus areas as abortion, aging, and alcoholic beverage regulation.

Talarico, who champions women's freedom of choice, would naturally listen to pro-abortion lobbying from his girlfriend. He has previously moved dormant campaign money from his former employer to support abortion groups across the nation. This year alone, Talarico raised a record $27 million in the first quarter, positioning him as a top Democratic candidate for the Lone Star senate seat. He also served as a director for a campaign fund supporting MJ Hegar, another Democrat who once sought the Texas senate seat. Although that fund went dormant after Hegar lost to John Cornyn in 2020, Talarico and two other directors directed its remaining cash toward abortion organizations. The fund accepted no new donations over the last five years yet distributed funds in 2023 to various groups. Specifically, the organization sent $16,500 to the DC Abortion Fund, $3,000 to the Louisiana Abortion Access Fund, and $2,000 to the Chicago Abortion Fund that year. Menard has appeared beside Talarico at campaign functions but has never been officially named as his partner in official campaign materials. In a local food co-op biography, she described herself as a committed vegan who loves cats, yoga, and dancing late at night at the Austin gay bar Cheer Up Charlies. A spokesperson for Talarico referred inquiries to their prior statement confirming the couple has been together for four years and that Menard joined his office when they developed feelings. Menard did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding these recent reports.