Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
39.2%
44.7%
35.3%
35.1%
2028 Democratic presidential nominee
$154.4M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age37 years old (May 17, 1989)
GenderMale
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LocationTexas
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Texas at Austin — B.A.
Notable personal detailsJames Dell Talarico is a Democratic politician and former public school teacher who has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2018, representing District 52 (2018–2023) and District 50 (2023–present). He earned degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University, and later completed a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has emphasized public education policy and has also run for higher office in Texas.
SourcesShowHide
house.texas.goven.wikipedia.orglrl.texas.govjamestalarico.comwikidata.orgbritannica.comtransparencyusa.orgtexasexes.orgvotetalarico.orgpatch.comaxios.comes.wikipedia.orgtexasnorml.orgapnews.comtexasstandard.orgtraviscountygop.orgtexaspolitics.comlatimes.comdallasnews.commysanantonio.comnews.yahoo.comtexastribune.orgballotready.orgcommunityimpact.comgivegreen.comopen.pluralpolicy.comlegiscan.comfortune.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgteachthevote.orgnypost.comchristianpost.comthegrio.comafge.orghoustonchronicle.comtexasaflcio.orgourrevolution.comtexasaft.orgelpasotimes.comforbes.comnytimes.comnpr.orgnotus.orghoustonpublicmedia.orgkeranews.orgelpasomatters.orgtpr.orgkut.orgabc13.comsacurrent.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgru.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orghouse.govclerk.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports significantly higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans and large corporations, closing loopholes (including carried interest and “buy, borrow, die”), raising capital gains and corporate tax rates, and using increased revenue to cut taxes for working families and expand supports (wages, Social Security protections, prescription drug and cost-of-living relief).
Healthcare
Supports expanding government-backed coverage by making Medicare buy-in or a public option available and expanding Medicare access; emphasizes lowering prescription drug costs (including capping insulin copays and importing drugs) and treating health care as a human right. Has a legislative record on prescription-cost reforms and protections for Medicaid.
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Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform that expands legal pathways and a pathway to citizenship for longtime residents while also strengthening border security against cartels and criminal actors. Proposes asylum-system improvements (more immigration judges, root out fraud, speed legitimate protections), modernizing ports of entry, guest-worker and employer-sponsorship programs with labor protections, and targeted enforcement against gangs and traffickers rather than broad deportation of immigrants.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restoring and protecting reproductive freedom at the federal level, including federal legislation to codify Roe v. Wade and protections for access to contraception and IVF; opposes Texas’s near-total abortion ban and frames abortion access as a matter of bodily autonomy and public health.
Climate & Energy
Supports federal incentives and investments to expand renewable energy and grid resilience, endorses emissions-reduction planning and climate preparedness, and advocates for diversified energy innovation while maintaining transitional fossil fuel roles.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks for private firearm transfers and has sponsored/co-sponsored legislation to require national instant background checks; supports reforms to policing and measures to improve public safety in schools.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
James Talarico has secured the Texas Democratic Senate nomination and is now the party’s candidate in the 2026 race against Republican Ken Paxton. His campaign has recently shifted to an affordability message, with a new ad focused on lowering costs for groceries, gas, healthcare, insulin, taxes, and property taxes. He has also been in the news for attacking Paxton over a child abuse case file request and for facing a conservative attack ad over his immigration remarks.
house.texas.gov+55
Articles
TOThe Oregonian8 days ago
Texas Democrat blasts Ken Paxton over ‘sweetheart deal’ for convicted child abuser
Positive
TDThe Dallas Morning News26 days ago
Democrat James Talarico shifts focus to rising costs in new ad
Positive
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
Cornyn says he won’t campaign for Paxton in Texas Senate race
Positive
TNThe New York Times1 month ago
Red State Democrats Need a New Approach to Abortion
Negative
Polls
Texas Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Texas Democratic Senate nominee?
Endorsers of James Talarico for Texas Democratic Senate nominee?
Barack Obama
Political organization
Barack Obama backed James Talarico's U.S. Senate campaign.
Texas AFL-CIO COPE
Labor organization
The Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education endorsed James Talarico for U.S. Senate.
Ricardo Samaniego
Public figure
El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego endorsed James Talarico for U.S. Senate.
Omega Network for Action
Public endorsement
Omega Network for Action endorsed James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race.
Dan Cogdell
Political organization
Dan Cogdell endorsed James Talarico's U.S. Senate campaign.
Houston Chronicle Editorial Board
Public figure
The Houston Chronicle editorial board endorsed James Talarico in the general election.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$40.3M
$30.2M
$20.1M
$10.1M
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$40.3M
$9.9M
$30.4M
$2.0M
Source: FEC