Alyssa Edwards has responded to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after the Senate candidate invoked the drag performer in attacks aimed at his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.
Edwards, the stage name of Justin Dwayne Lee Johnson, addressed Paxton in a letter on Wednesday, saying she was unsure of his motive for attempting to damage her name and reputation. She urged the political debate to focus on issues rather than personal attacks.
A Test of Character
'I'm not sure I fully understand your motive or intention in attempting to disparage my name, my character, or my reputation,' Edwards wrote, according to TheWrap.
'But I do know this: the way we choose to speak about others often says far more about our own character than it ever will about theirs.'
The dispute began after Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Texas, was asked at a campaign event to name his favourite drag queen in the state. He answered, 'Probably Alyssa Edwards', prompting Paxton to make the exchange part of his campaign messaging.
Too 'Radical' for Texas?
On 14 September, Paxton shared a video of the interaction on social media and questioned how quickly Talarico had named Edwards. He later escalated the criticism on Tuesday, 22 September, by posting an edited video featuring Edwards, accompanied by the caption: 'Meet Alyssa Edwards: James Talarico's favourite sick and twisted drag queen.'
The video included clips of Edwards performing and teaching dance, including footage featuring children whose faces were blurred. It ended with a message describing Talarico as 'Too Weird, Too Radical for Texas'.
Edwards responded by putting her background at the centre of the discussion. In her letter, she described herself as a proud Texan, one of seven children, an educator of 30 years, choreographer, entrepreneur and mentor, as well as a drag performer.
Addressing Her Faith and Character
Edwards highlighted her work with Beyond Belief Dance Company, the studio she founded, saying dance education remains the accomplishment she is most proud of. She said the studio began as a community recreation programme at a YMCA and developed into a place where young people could pursue creativity and discipline.
Her response addressed her faith. Edwards said she grew up in the Baptist church and that Christianity remains an important part of her identity.
'My life may look different from yours, but difference does not diminish character, faith, service, or a person's ability to positively contribute to their community,' she wrote. 'Texas is big enough for all of us.'
The controversy has also drawn a response from Edwards' publicist, Waylon Tate, who said her name was being used as 'political ammunition' in a US Senate race she is not running in.
Competing for a US Senate Seat
Talarico and Paxton are competing for Texas' US Senate seat in the general election on 3 November. Paxton is not seeking re-election as attorney general because he is running for the Senate.
Edwards has appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race, All Stars 2 and RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars, where she represented the United States. Her life as a dance teacher and drag performer was documented in the 2018 Netflix series Dancing Queen.
The latest exchange places a well-known Texas entertainer at the centre of a campaign dispute that began with a brief answer about a favourite performer. Edwards' letter makes clear that she intends to define herself through her work, education, faith and connection to Texas rather than through the political framing surrounding her.
