Texas state Rep. James Talarico launched his campaign for the Senate on Tuesday, joining Democrats‘ push to flip the seat held by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who first must survive a bruising Republican primary against state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Talarico, 36, a former middle school teacher and progressive rising star in the state legislature, will face former Democratic Texas Rep. Colin Allred in the Democratic primary, setting up an intraparty clash that could grow even more crowded if former Democratic Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke decides to run.
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Cornyn, a four-term Republican, is facing mounting pressure as Paxton has led in early polls and enjoyed support from pro-Trump conservatives. President Donald Trump has not yet weighed in.
If Paxton emerges as the nominee, it could be an opening for national Democrats, calculating that his legal controversies and combative style could weaken Republican odds in November. Still, Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide in more than 30 years, underscoring the steep climb ahead.
Allred, who narrowly lost to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in 2024, entered the race in July and was seen as the front-runner until Talarico’s announcement. Talarico’s entry threatens to split Democratic support and resources at a time when the party is already debating how much to invest in Texas.
I’m running for the U.S. Senate.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) September 9, 2025
Billionaires have taken over Texas and taken over America — but together, we can take power back for working people.
Join this movement: https://t.co/Cam7Y742fM pic.twitter.com/jPIrIJeX0A
In his launch video, Talarico framed his candidacy as a fight against entrenched power.
“The biggest divide in our country is not left versus right, it’s top versus bottom,” he said. “We’re going up against those billionaire mega donors and their puppet politicians. But I don’t scare easily, and Texans don’t scare easily.”
He positioned himself as an underdog willing to take on billionaire donors and what he called a “rigged system.”
“We’re going up against a lot of money,” Talarico said. “But I’m a former middle school teacher. I don’t scare easily, and Texans don’t scare easily.”
He has also tried to expand his appeal beyond the Democratic base. In July, he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where Rogan lamented that Washington, D.C.’s, dysfunction fuels cynicism.
WHO IS JAMES TALARICO, THE TEXAS DEMOCRAT RUNNING FOR SENATE AFTER PRAISE FROM JOE ROGAN?
Talarico acknowledged voter frustration but urged listeners not to give up hope, saying, “There is reason and good reasons to be disillusioned. All I’m pushing back on is that second step of it’s always going to be this way. That is the key step.”
With Cornyn facing a serious challenge from Paxton and Democrats bracing for their own competitive primary, the race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched of the 2026 midterm elections.