Texas lawmaker bids for US Senate, joining John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, Colin Allred
Texas Rep. James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate, as Democrats try and flip the statewide seat held by John Cornyn.
Talarico, an Austin Democrat, has been a member of the state House since 2019. He officially launched his campaign on Tuesday, amid reports that he planned to run for the office.
Talarico, 36, is the self-proclaimed “underdog” in the race.
Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat who challenged U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024, has already announced his bid and has the experience and name recognition that comes with having previously run statewide. Were he to advance to November, Talarico could face Cornyn or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, both Republicans, in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 1994.
But Talarico, a former public school teacher and graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, said he’s beaten the odds before. Talarico won Texas House District 52 in 2018, an open seat that had long been held by a Republican. He later ran in House District 50 in the Austin area, which he currently represents.
“I was an underdog then,” Talarico said in a Saturday interview with the Star-Telegram. “I’m the underdog now, both in the primary and in the general, and it’s a place I’m comfortable.”
Talarico was already taking political aim at potential November opponents. He criticized Cornyn for supporting the “big, ugly bill” in Congress and noted embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s 2023 impeachment. Paxton was ultimately acquitted in the Senate.
In order to take on either potential opponent, he’d first need to win a Democratic primary that includes Allred, former astronaut Terry Virts and any others who enter the race.
“If the Democratic Party is looking for fresh faces, Talarico fits the bill,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor in a text message. “If they’re looking for a proven, statewide quality, it gives Allred the edge.”
If it’s Allred who ultimately wins the Democratic nomination, Talarico said he’ll be fully behind the former congressman.
“I’m not running against Colin Allred,” he said. “I’m running to make my case to the people of the state and offer my skills, my experiences, my values and my vision in service of them.”
Rottinghaus expects Allred will try and make the race about “experience versus potential.”
“There won’t be many ideological or partisan differences between the candidates,” he said. “It will be a race about turnout, enthusiasm, and building the right coalition of voters.”
Talarico has “a lot of buzz” and but has also gotten a bit of a late start, Rottinghaus said. Allred launched his campaign in July.
“He’ll have to step on the gas in fundraising, name ID and messaging,” he said.
Recent polling from the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University puts Allred up by 7 percentage points in a two way matchup against Talarico. Paxton was 5 percentage points ahead of Cornyn in a two way matchup.
Winning statewide in Texas will be a challenge for whomever the Democratic nominee is.
The primary for Democrats is just ramping up, meanwhile a heated primary between Paxton and Cornyn is in full-swing. To have a chance at winning in November, a Democratic candidate will need to draw independent voters and sway on the fence Republicans, in addition rallying Democrats, Rottinghaus said.
Talarico has been subject of viral moments in the state Legislature. He recently made headlines when he went on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Rogan endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
There’s a hunger for a “different kind of politics,” Talarico said.
“It’s been 10 years of Trumpian politics, of politics as blood sport, politics as professional wrestling,” Talarico said. “I think people are ready to get back to those timeless values of sincerity and honestly and compassion. I think those things are going to make a comeback in 2026 in our politics, and I want to be part of that, of that movement.”
Talarico said reaching Texans through social media is a tool he’ll continue to use on the Senate campaign trial.
“Talarico’s messaging is very persuasive and has the ability to connect to voters beyond just the Democratic Party,” Rottinghaus said. “This is the only way... the Democrats can win.”
Allred has demonstrated the ability to get some crossover voters, but will need to find better traction with independents and Republicans to win statewide, Rottinghaus said in another text message.
“I’ve never taken anything for granted in life or politics, and this campaign is no exception,” Allred said in a Tuesday 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. For the next fourteen months, my focus will be on meeting with and listening to Texas families — all across our state — to build the diverse coalition we need to win.”
This story was originally published September 9, 2025 at 4:55 AM.
