Democratic Texas state Representative James Talarico has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the U.
S. Senate, aiming to unseat former Texas Democratic Representative Colin Allred.
Allred is making another attempt at the Senate following an unsuccessful campaign in 2024. Talarico, a student at a Presbyterian seminary, has previously stirred controversy by asserting that "God is nonbinary" in defense of transgender rights.
Despite starting as an underdog, recent polling suggests he could pose a formidable challenge to Allred.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Talarico is making a concerted effort to distance himself from the national Democratic Party, which has struggled with its image in Texas. He has notably refrained from endorsing Democratic New York Senator Chuck Schumer to continue as the party's leader in the Senate.
In an interview with Semafor, Talarico stated, "If the people of Texas entrust me with this responsibility, Ill sit down with all the candidates for majority leader to hear about their plan to curb the influence of the ultra-wealthy in our politics and center the Democratic Partys priorities around working people."
Since 2018, Talarico, 36, has served in the Texas House of Representatives and has a background in education as a former public school teacher. Although he has not previously pursued statewide office, he has gained recognition by opposing Republican-led redistricting efforts and appearing on Joe Rogan's podcast in July.
Talarico is currently working towards a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University.
Talarico has been vocal about the need for rejuvenation within the Democratic Party, which is experiencing its lowest approval ratings in over three decades. He told NBC News, "I think what I bring is something a little different. I think the country is looking for a reset in the Democratic Party. Theyre looking for something new, something fresh, something different and I think thats what I can provide."
The Democratic nominee will face a challenging path to victory against Republican Texas Senator John Cornyn, who is seeking a fifth term. Cornyn is currently embroiled in a competitive primary battle with Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, with recent polls indicating a tightening race. The last time a Democrat won a statewide election in Texas was in 1994, underscoring the uphill battle Talarico and his fellow Democrats face.
In addition to Talarico and Allred, the Democratic primary field includes Texas astronaut Terry Virts, and perennial candidate Beto ORourke has not ruled out joining the fray. As the race unfolds, Talarico's campaign will likely focus on his unique perspective and call for change within the Democratic Party, as he seeks to connect with Texas voters in a state that has long been a Republican stronghold.
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