Updated Feb. 23, 2026, 10:42 a.m. MT
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett is taking aim at her leading Democratic primary opponent over a major Super PAC donor’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the late billionaire financier at the center of a massive child trafficking and sex abuse scandal.
Recent filings with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) show that Reid Hoffman, a billionaire AI investor, has contributed funds directly to state Rep. James Talarico’s Super PAC. Hoffman is listed in the Epstein files and visited Epstein properties, including the island where the worst atrocities are alleged to have taken place.
Additionally, Hoffman contributed $3.7 million through a layered network of Super PACs, concealing the identity of associated donors, a news release from Crockett’s campaign stated.
“My opponent claims that he will tax the rich and abolish Super PACs, yet he has welcomed and embraced these billionaires and their dark money support in the primary,” Crockett, D-Dallas, said in the release. “This is why people are so turned off with politicians. My opponent says one thing but does another. Texans deserve leaders who actually live their values in action.”
“More importantly, Texans deserve transparency,” she continued. “If one of the individuals who donated publicly is someone in the Epstein files, imagine who else has given anonymously. Think about which other billionaires are dropping millions into this negative campaign against me and our movement.”
From her post in Congress, Crockett has been a leading voice in the effort to earn justice for Epstein survivors, even engaging in a heated exchange with Attorney General Pam Bondi during a hearing earlier this month.
Talarico’s campaign has been built around getting big money out of politics — Crockett called on him to start by renouncing funding from “the Epstein Class.”
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“If James Talarico really means what he says, then he would denounce this Super PAC,” she said. “He’d at least denounce the smear campaign, but at this point it is clear that he won’t. A man that seemingly doesn’t practice what he preaches. As we enter the last week of early voting, voters should follow the money and review the records.”
“It seems like Mr. Talarico prefers to justify donations to himself either directly or indirectly so long as it benefits him,” Crockett continued, “just like never returning the almost ($60,000) he took from (President Donald) Trump’s largest donor, Miriam Adelson, who wants Trump to have a third term.”
Talarico’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Colbert, Talarico interview
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” aired on YouTube Monday, Feb. 16, amid pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Talarico raked in $2.5 million within 24 hours.
Watch the interview below.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.