DALLAS – As the issue of immigration loses some of its potency as a rallying cry, a growing number of Texas Republicans are turning to anti-Muslim rhetoric in the lead-up to the March 3 primary elections. From accusations of importing “radical Islam” to calls for banning religious garments, the shift reflects a deliberate effort to find a new political scapegoat and energize the GOP base, according to observers of Texas politics.
The increasingly visible Islamophobia extends to the highest levels of state government. In November, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent civil rights group, as terrorist organizations. This move, widely criticized by civil liberties advocates, signals a broader acceptance of anti-Muslim sentiment within the state’s Republican leadership.
The rhetoric isn’t limited to broad accusations. Candidates are offering specific and often bigoted, proposals. Larry Brock, a candidate for state representative, recently expressed sentiments at a candidates forum outside Dallas that included calls to ban the burqa, hijab, abaya, and niqab – coverings worn by some Muslim women – and prohibit halal meat. Brock, notably, is a convicted felon who participated in the January 6th Capitol riot, having been sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement. The Department of Justice details his conviction.
A New Scapegoat Emerges
For years, Texas Republicans successfully mobilized voters around issues of border security and illegal immigration. However, with illegal crossings slowing under the Trump administration, the potency of that message has diminished. “Republicans can’t run on the border issue the way [they] have in the past,” explained Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. “Republicans need to find something else that taps into those cultural-identity issues” and unifies the party base.
This search for a new focal point has led to the targeting of the Muslim community. Aaron Reitz, a candidate for attorney general, has run advertisements accusing politicians of importing “millions of Muslims into our country,” linking this to increased terrorism and crime. Republican Rep. Chip Roy, co-founder of the “Sharia-Free America Caucus,” has even called for amending the Texas Constitution to protect the state from “Islamification by radical Marxists.”
Escalating Rhetoric in the Senate Race
The anti-Muslim rhetoric is also playing out in the high-stakes race for U.S. Senate. Incumbent John Cornyn is facing a potentially career-ending challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton. Cornyn has aired television spots accusing Paxton of being “soft on radical Islam” and characterizing the ideology as “bloodthirsty.” Paxton responded by accusing Cornyn of helping “radical Islamic Afghans invade Texas,” a reference to a visa program for those who assisted U.S. Forces.
This escalating exchange underscores the extent to which anti-Muslim sentiment has become central to the Republican primary. The rhetoric echoes a level of concentrated political attack not seen since the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks. The Los Angeles Times published a retrospective on the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
The EPIC City Controversy
Much of the recent attention has focused on a proposed real estate development known as EPIC City, located 40 miles east of Dallas. The project, initiated by the East Plano Islamic Center, is intended to be a Muslim-centered community, though open to residents of all faiths. Paxton has called for an investigation into the development, labeling it a potentially illegal “Sharia City.” The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has also launched an investigation, prompted by a request from Cornyn, after the Justice Department closed its own probe with a finding that developers would abide by federal fair housing laws.
The Muslim population in Texas represents approximately 2% of the adult population, estimated to be between 300,000 and 500,000 residents in a state of nearly 32 million, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center study. The Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Study provides detailed demographic data.
Looking Ahead
The primary elections on March 3rd will be a crucial test of whether this strategy of appealing to anti-Muslim sentiment will prove successful for Texas Republicans. The outcome will likely shape the tone and direction of the party in the coming years. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s investigation into EPIC City is ongoing, and its findings will likely fuel further debate. The rhetoric surrounding these issues is expected to intensify as the primary elections draw closer.
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