TYLER—Vice President JD Vance announced a major expansion of a Tyler oil refinery while rallying East Texas Republicans behind U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton on Tuesday.
Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in front of Air Force 2, Vance touted the Trump administration’s energy agenda while launching a series of attacks against Paxton’s Democrat opponent, James Talarico.
The visit marked a rare appearance by a sitting vice president in Tyler, known as the Rose Capital of America, and came less than a week before early voting begins in the November midterm elections.
Vance opened by joking about his Ohio State Buckeyes losing to the Texas Longhorns.
“Even though I’m sad about the game, I’m proud to be in the freest and most prosperous and proudest state in the union, the great state of Texas,” Vance said.
During his speech, Vance announced that the Trump administration is using the Defense Production Act to expand the Delek refinery in Tyler, a move he said would increase fuel production and create hundreds of jobs in Smith County.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that the Trump administration, working with the refinery at Delek, has used the Defense Production Act, and we are going to expand the refinery right here in Tyler, Texas,” Vance said.
He said the administration wants the expansion to produce billions of additional gallons of commercial-grade and military-specification fuel.
“What that means for you and your families is lower costs to fly from one place to another. It means lower costs to drive your car and to work every single day,” Vance said. “It means a more reliable energy supply, but also a stronger national defense.”
The vice president said the expansion would provide opportunities for Texans to build careers without leaving their communities.
“What I care most about is that it means more opportunities for Texans, for your kids and your grandkids, to build a life without having to leave the community that they love,” he said.
Much of Vance’s roughly half-hour speech was devoted to the U.S. Senate contest between Paxton and Talarico.
Vance praised Paxton’s record as attorney general, highlighting his lawsuits against technology companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the Biden administration.
“He’s not just a talker; he’s a guy who gets things done,” Vance said.
He also pointed to Paxton’s legal battles against the Biden administration, saying the attorney general had sued the administration more than 100 times.
“You don’t mess with Texas, and you know why you don’t mess with Texas? Because if you do, Ken Paxton’s going to kick your ass,” Vance said to applause.
The vice president then turned his attention to Talarico, criticizing the Democrat’s past comments on religion, gender, education, law enforcement, and the oil and gas industry.
“There is not a lot nice I would say about James Talarico, but man, the guy is a content machine,” Vance joked.
Vance referenced Talarico’s statements about Christianity, six genders, and his love for “transgender kids.”
“What I do know is that James Talarico needs to take a week or two to get his own head examined because he’s lost his damn mind,” Vance told the crowd.
Vance argued that Talarico’s past statements and legislative record were at odds with the image presented in his campaign advertising.
The vice president accused Talarico of being beholden to far-left activists and warned that he would advance their agenda if elected to the Senate.
“He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Vance said. “Talarico may pretend to be a moderate in his TV advertisements, but ladies and gentlemen, we know from his record that he is a fake and he is a fraud.”
Vance also tied the Senate race to the administration’s energy policies, criticizing Talarico’s past comments comparing Texas’ energy dominance to leadership in outdated technology.
“He sees an energy that built the prosperity of the United States of America, and he sees it as a thing of the past, something to tear down rather than something to build upon,” Vance said.
“We will never abandon the men and women of the oil and gas industry in Texas.”
The rally brought together a slate of Republican officials and candidates, including Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Texas Comptroller Don Huffines, House Speaker Dustin Burrows, and State Sen. Mayes Middleton, the Republican nominee for attorney general.
Members of Congress in attendance included Beth Van Duyne, Nathaniel Moran, and Brandon Gill, along with congressional candidate Trever Nehls.
The vice president’s visit follows President Donald Trump’s rally in San Antonio last week, where Trump similarly criticized Talarico and urged supporters to elect Paxton.
It was Vance’s second campaign appearance in Texas in less than two weeks. On September 30, he visited Brownsville for the groundbreaking of a new shipyard before headlining a Republican rally in Harlingen.
Vance closed his remarks by urging Texans to elect Paxton in November.
“This November, let’s send Ken Paxton to Washington and let’s get back to work for the United States of America.”
Early voting begins Monday, October 19. Election day is Tuesday, November 3.
