Introduction to the Senate Campaign
State Rep. James Talarico on Tuesday announced his campaign for U.S. Senate, saying he hopes a new face and fresh approach will give Democrats their first statewide victory in 32 years. Talarico, D-Austin, is on a collision course with Colin Allred, the Dallas Democrat who has been seeking his party’s Senate nomination since July 1. It’s Allred’s second Senate bid since 2024. Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts is also in the March primary.
The Competition
The Democratic nominee will face off against the winner of a GOP field that includes Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn, who has held the seat since 2003.
Campaign Kickoff
As part of his campaign kickoff, Talarico will stage a rally Tuesday evening at Centennial Plaza in Round Rock. His launch on Tuesday included a video calling on Texans to “take power back” for their communities.
Political Points
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A New Approach
“There’s a moment here where I think people are ready for something very different,” Talarico said during an interview with The Dallas Morning News. “It’s been 10 years of Trumpian politics, politics as blood sport, politics as professional wrestling. And I think people are tired of it.” Talarico said one of his campaign goals is to bring Texans together. “They’re tired of being pitted against their neighbors. They’re tired of politics breaking up families or ending friendships,” Talarico added. “They want to get back to the timeless values of honesty and sincerity and compassion. … I feel like I’m speaking to that, and there’s a moment here that I want to be a part of.”
The Opposition
Allred, who, in 2024, lost a Senate race to Republican Ted Cruz, said he was focused on meeting with Texas families to “build the diverse coalition” needed to win. “I’ve never taken anything for granted in life or politics, and this campaign is no exception,” Allred said in a statement. “I know why I’m running: to lower costs, tackle the affordability crisis head-on, and stop corrupt politicians like John Cornyn and Ken Paxton from rigging the system to make life more expensive for hardworking Texans.”
The Road Ahead
Talarico faces a long, hard fight in what will be one of the most watched Senate contests in the country. The fight for the seat has state and national implications. Texas Republicans are trying to continue their run of political dominance, while Democrats see an opportunity to break through.
National Implications
National resources are expected to pour into Texas because both parties are eyeing the seat. If Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate, it would help President Donald Trump continue to implement his agenda. If Democrats win the House or Senate, they can block many of Trump’s policies.
The Question for Democrats
The question for Democrats: Is Talarico the best choice for such a moment? “Can Talarico overcome his lack of name ID and awareness quickly enough to overcome Allred’s sort of built-in lead because he has higher name ID and he was the nominee last time?” asked political consultant Jeff Dalton. “He’s extremely inspiring. If he has the resources to get in front of people on TV, digital, traveling, etc., I could see him catching up very rapidly.” Dalton said Republicans would still have an advantage in the general election, whether it’s Allred or Talarico as the nominee.
Talarico’s Chances
One political analyst said Talarico has the chance to be popular with Democrats. “Talarico speaks with clarity in terms of how he articulates the issues, and he has a kind of ecumenical background,” said Michael O. Adams, a political scientist at Texas Southern University. “He has a populist appeal and comes across as a common-sense candidate.” Adams said he does not know whether Talarico could reach beyond his central Texas base. “I don’t know how he would play within the Black community or if he could energize Democrats in the urban areas,” Adams said. “Colin Allred still has an opportunity to excel at that, if he runs a very aggressive campaign.”
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