A U.S. Navy veteran says he was removed from a campaign event for state Rep. James Talarico (D-District 50), the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, after confronting him over questions surrounding his 2021 residency.
Kolton Krottinger, a U.S. Navy veteran, told The Dallas Express he attended the event intending to press Talarico about records DX examined in a July 28 investigation.
🚨ARLINGTON, TEXAS🚨Navy Veteran Kolton Krottinger was manhandled by James Talarico staff members when he tried to ask a question. They grabbed his phone and wrist, then threw him out of the event. Is this how Talarico will treat veterans?
Follow:@Carlos__Turcios@DallasExpress pic.twitter.com/nE1Xv9eiTJ
— Carlos Turcios (@Carlos__Turcios) August 7, 2026
Records behind Krottinger’s question
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, a voter-registration history the publication reviewed lists December 5, 2021, as Talarico’s registration date at an Austin address associated with his parents. An official campaign-finance filing lists a $1,437.84 in-kind contribution from his parents on December 12, 2021, described as “Moving expenses.” Both entries came after the November 8 constitutional residency deadline for the Austin-area district he sought in 2022.
The records reviewed by The Dallas Express did not establish when Talarico physically moved to the Austin address, and the prior investigation did not conclude that he committed voter fraud or voted illegally. Texas law treats residence as a fact-specific question involving a person’s home, fixed place of habitation and intent to return.
“I showed up to ask James Talarico two simple questions,” Krottinger told The Dallas Express. “First, I asked him why he committed voter fraud by using his parents’ address to vote. Then I planned to ask why he’s campaigning with a doctor who has performed gender-affirming surgeries on minors.”
Krottinger’s first question centered on issues raised in DX’s July 28 investigation into Talarico’s 2021 residency timeline. That reporting raised questions about when Talarico established residence in House District 50 but did not conclude that he committed voter fraud.
Krottinger’s second planned question appears to refer to plastic surgeon Dr. Dustin Reid, who participated in a June Talarico fundraiser and told Fox News Digital that he had performed female-to-male surgeries on minors in rare cases before Texas prohibited the procedures. Reid said he no longer performs such surgeries under state law. Talarico’s campaign told Fox that Talarico opposes such surgeries for minors.
Video cuts off before alleged removal
Krottinger alleges the encounter became physical.
“Instead of answering, his team grabbed my phone, someone grabbed my wrist, and I was thrown out of the event,” he said. “Talarico just smiled and stayed silent.”
Video provided to The Dallas Express appears to show an individual reaching toward Krottinger’s phone. The recording ends before the alleged physical removal, so the video does not independently establish Krottinger’s account that he was thrown out.
“If you’re asking to represent Texans in the U.S. Senate, you should be able to answer tough questions from voters,” Krottinger said.
The Dallas Express contacted Talarico’s campaign for comment about Krottinger’s allegations but did not receive a response before publication.
Provided by Dallas Express
