Texas Republicans Go All-In on ‘Sharia Law’

Red state Republicans find 'boogeyman' to attack to terrify their own voters

Muslim Americans have emerged as the go-to target for Republican candidates in a red state's 2026 primary elections, with one GOP consultant openly admitting that Muslims had become the “boogeyman for this cycle,” Politico reported Monday.“One hundred percent this message works – there’s no question about it,” said Texas Republican consultant Vinny Minchillo, speaking with Politico. “This has been polled up one side and down the other, and with …

Republicans go all-in on ‘Sharia law’ attacks ahead of Texas primary

Anti-Muslim rhetoric has emerged as a potent ingredient in the looming Texas Republican primary while candidates compete to raise fears about the spread of Sharia law in the state and portray themselves as the toughest option to stand against it. From the state’s white-hot GOP Senate primary down to local races, Republican candidates are pledging to fight the hardest against a proposed residential development of 1,000 homes centered around a Mos…

Texas Republicans Go All-In on ‘Sharia Law’

"Anti-Muslim rhetoric has emerged as a potent ingredient in the looming Texas Republican primary while candidates compete to raise fears about the spread of Sharia law in the state and portray themselves as the toughest option to stand against it," Politico reports."From the state’s white-hot

Anti-Islam rhetoric takes center stage in Texas Republican primary

By Gabby Birenbaum, The Texas Tribune January 26, 2026 WASHINGTON — Aaron Reitz aired his first television ad Wednesday pitching himself to voters as the best Republican candidate for Texas attorney general. But his commercial didn’t highlight his endorsement from outgoing attorney general Ken Paxton or his work under President Donald Trump. He didn’t discuss border security or election law. Instead, Reitz pledged to target a religion practiced …

Anti-Islam rhetoric takes over Texas GOP primaries

As the GOP and its factions debate what constitutes American identity, opposition to Islam has become a key campaign pillar for some Texas Republicans in statewide races and beyond.