Texas State Rep. James Talarico Takes Steps Towards U.S. Senate Bid

Texas State Representative James Talarico is set to launch a Democratic bid for the U.S. Senate, joining the primary race in a state where the party aims to be competitive in the upcoming midterm elections. Talarico will challenge for the Senate seat currently held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who faces a primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Democratic primary already includes former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, and Beto O'Rourke is also considering a run. Talarico, a 36-year-old pastor and Texas House representative from the northern Austin suburbs, gained significant public attention this year for advocating unity and loving one's enemies as a strategic approach. He played a prominent role in a 15-day boycott by Texas House Democrats aimed at blocking the GOP's redistricting efforts.

State Representative James Talarico has taken steps toward a possible run for the U.S. Senate, including inquiring with television stations about Senate ad rates, according to two sources. Talarico is a Democratic state lawmaker from Austin serving his fourth term. He has become increasingly visible since Texas Democrats left the state for Illinois in protest of a Republican plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps. Talarico participated in 25 interviews in the first 24 hours of the quorum break, reaching 9.8 million viewers through television appearances. He told The Texas Tribune that although he intended to decide about a Senate race this week, the quorum break delayed his decision and he remains undecided. He stated, "I was elected by 200,000 people in Central Texas to do this job...and I intend on doing that job before I start applying for other jobs." Talarico could not be reached for further comment as of Friday.

Texas State Representative James Talarico, a fourth-term Democrat from Austin, has taken a significant step toward a potential U.S. Senate campaign by inquiring about television advertising rates, according to two sources familiar with his actions. This marks his most concrete move yet toward seeking statewide office.

Talarico’s visibility has surged since Texas Democrats left for Illinois on Sunday to block a Republican proposal to redraw the state’s congressional maps. In the first 24 hours of the quorum break, he participated in 25 interviews, reaching an estimated 9.8 million viewers nationwide through television appearances. His media presence included networks, podcasts, and Washington political newsletters.

A former teacher and current seminary student, Talarico has gained a substantial following on social media, including TikTok, often criticizing Christian nationalism while identifying as both a progressive Democrat and a devout Christian. He has attracted attention for widely shared clips of him challenging Republican colleagues on the Texas House floor during the legislative session that ended in early June. Shortly afterward, he expressed interest in a possible 2026 Senate bid.

In July, Talarico appeared on comedian Joe Rogan’s popular podcast for a nearly three-hour discussion. During the episode, Rogan, who has criticized Democratic messaging and endorsed Donald Trump in 2024, told Talarico he should run for president.

Talarico told The Texas Tribune on Tuesday that he originally intended to decide about a Senate run this week, but the quorum break delayed his timeline. He stated he remains undecided, saying, “I was elected by 200,000 people in Central Texas to do this job, to fight for them in the state Capitol, to be kind of like their lawyer in state government. And I intend on doing that job before I start applying for other jobs.”

The prospect of the 2026 Senate race has energized Texas Democrats, who see it as an opportunity to potentially win their first statewide office since former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s narrow loss to Senator Ted Cruz in 2018.