Trump-endorsed candidate's challenge backfires as Dem hits back on child sex offender deal

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, responded to his Republican opponent’s “barbecue debate” challenge issued on Monday with a challenge of his own, one that put the Trump-backed candidate’s controversial record in the spotlight.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged Talarico Monday to a debate to be held at a barbecue restaurant, a debate designed to verify whether Talarico actually enjoys barbecued meat as he’s claimed. The unorthodox challenge comes as Republicans take continued potshots at Talarico's masculinity.

Talarico’s response was far less lighthearted.

“I’ll meet Paxton at any time and any place if he will answer Texans’ questions about why he let admitted child sex offender Adam Hoffman walk free,” Talarico said, according to Texas Tribune reporter Alejandro Serrano.

Talarico was referencing the controversial plea deal Paxton’s office offered Hoffman, a former Texas attorney who was originally facing life in prison for “sexually abusing a young boy” over a three-year period, a plea deal that would see him instead plead guilty to “two misdemeanors and serve a total of just one day in jail,” the Texas Tribune previously reported.

The plea deal was so controversial that Republican Texas state Rep. Jeff Leach, who’s endorsed by Trump, suggested Texas voters abandon Paxton in the upcoming general election.

Despite the plea deal offered by Paxton’s office, Hoffman was ultimately sentenced to 60 days in jail, but has since been released. He also won’t be required to register as a sex offender.

“A real and dangerous predator – a present threat to Texas children – as free as you and me,” Leach said the day before Hoffman’s release in a statement published on social media. “A slap on his wrist and a spit in the face to his victim. Why?! How?! Because that’s the deal he made with Ken Paxton. Vote accordingly.”