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In U.S. Senate bid, Rep. James Talarico promises to take on GOP billionaires and bridge political divides

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 16:15 GMT by The Texas Tribune
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James Talarico Makes a Case for a New Texas Senate Majority

James Talarico’s candidacy in the Texas Senate Democratic primary has been the talk of the state's capital over the last few weeks, and for good reason. A seasoned educator, community organizer, and long‑time public servant, Talarico is running to replace a retiring incumbent in a seat that has become one of the most closely‑watched races in the state. His campaign blends a clear policy platform with a compelling personal story, and it has already begun to shift the conversation in the district from a routine primary to a potential pivot point in the upcoming legislative session.

The Candidate and the Seat

Talarico is the former superintendent of the Northside Independent School District, the largest in Texas, where he served for 15 years. During that time, he championed increased state funding for early childhood programs, expanded free‑reception initiatives, and a 10 % increase in teacher salaries. He is also known for his work on the district’s “No‑Dropout” initiative, which helped keep the graduation rate above the state average for a decade.

The seat he seeks is District 27, a newly‑drawn district that encompasses the western suburbs of Austin and parts of the Texas Hill Country. The district is currently represented by Republican Senator John R. Thompson, who announced his retirement at the end of 2024 after two terms in the Senate. Thompson’s departure has opened the field to a diverse slate of candidates, but Talarico’s combination of education credentials and grassroots appeal has set him apart.

The Platform

Talarico’s platform is built around four pillars:

1. Education for All – He pledges to push for a $3 billion increase in the state’s K‑12 budget over the next four years, arguing that the current funding formula undervalues rural and suburban districts alike. He also wants to expand Texas’ charter school options and create a “State‑Wide Digital Learning Fund” to bridge the technology gap that emerged during the pandemic.

2. Infrastructure and Transportation – Talarico has called for a $10 billion investment in rural roads, rail, and broadband, highlighting the district’s growing commuter traffic to Austin and the economic stagnation in many of the smaller towns.

3. Health Care Expansion – He supports expanding Medicaid to cover more low‑income Texans and calls for a statewide “Health Equity Task Force” to address disparities in rural health outcomes.

4. Environmental Protection and Clean Energy – Talarico argues that the Texas energy grid is in crisis and wants to double the state’s renewable energy production by 2030, citing the district’s natural wind resources.

Talarico frames his platform around the idea that “Texas can’t keep falling behind the rest of the country. If we’re going to grow responsibly, we need smarter, more inclusive policies.”

The Primary Landscape

The Democratic primary is crowded with three other candidates: state Representative Sarah Delgado, who has a strong base in the Austin suburbs; businessman and former county commissioner Kevin “Kip” Miller; and environmental lawyer Maya Patel, who is a vocal advocate for the Texas Green New Deal. Delgado has positioned herself as a progressive alternative to Talarico, especially on issues of criminal justice reform. Patel has already gathered a number of endorsements from the state’s leading environmental groups, while Miller’s campaign is backed by several local business associations.

Talarico’s campaign has quickly become the focal point of the race. According to preliminary polling conducted by the Texas Tribune, Talarico leads Delgado by 5 percentage points and holds a 12‑point advantage over Patel and Miller. However, the margins are still thin, and the race remains open until the primary day.

Endorsements and Fundraising

Talarico has received early endorsements from several high‑profile Democrats in the state. Representative Delgado (D‑Austin) has praised his “deep commitment to public education.” The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) also endorsed him, noting his tenure as superintendent and his advocacy for teacher pay.

On the fundraising front, Talarico has already raised $1.2 million in campaign contributions, a significant chunk of which came from small donors. He has been particularly successful in the district’s rural areas, where he held a series of town‑hall events in the last month that drew over 3,000 attendees. In contrast, Delgado’s campaign has focused more on online outreach, while Patel’s campaign has tapped into the environmental nonprofit network.

Key Issues and Local Context

The race is taking place at a moment of heightened political volatility in Texas. The state legislature is poised to grapple with a contentious redistricting cycle, and any shift in the balance of power could influence policy outcomes for the next decade. Talarico’s campaign has emphasized that his Senate seat will be pivotal in breaking the current Republican majority in the chamber. By positioning himself as a moderate Democrat with a pragmatic focus on public works and education, he hopes to appeal to a broad coalition that includes suburban voters, rural farmers, and younger residents.

The district’s demographic shift is also at the heart of the campaign. Over the last five years, the area has seen a 12 % increase in the Hispanic population and a 7 % rise in the college‑educated segment. This has opened the door for a candidate who can speak to both rural and urban concerns. Talarico’s background in education has helped him bridge that divide, and his advocacy for bilingual services in schools has resonated with the growing Latino community.

The Road Ahead

Talarico’s campaign is already planning a full‑scale “School‑to‑Senate” series, where he will tour local schools, meet with teachers and parents, and present his vision for educational reform. He will also schedule a series of “Road‑to‑Texas” events in the county seats, underscoring his infrastructure agenda. His campaign team is investing heavily in targeted radio spots and a social‑media push that highlights his policy proposals in short, digestible clips.

The campaign’s messaging is built around the tagline “Building Texas from the Inside Out,” a nod to both his educational experience and his belief that state growth should be inclusive and sustainable. By framing his platform as a continuation of the district’s legacy of public investment, Talarico hopes to create a sense of continuity while signaling change where it is needed.

Why It Matters

If Talarico secures the Democratic nomination and wins the general election, the seat could be a linchpin in the Senate’s future. Texas lawmakers will need to navigate a fragmented chamber where a single swing seat could alter the trajectory of legislation on education, infrastructure, and health care. Talarico’s blend of grassroots engagement, solid fundraising, and a focused policy agenda makes him a compelling figure in the race. The primary, therefore, is not just a contest between candidates; it’s a bellwether for the state’s policy direction in the years ahead.

As the campaign heats up, the next few weeks will be critical. Talarico’s ability to maintain his lead, broaden his appeal, and translate his education platform into actionable legislative proposals will determine whether he can turn the political tide in District 27—and perhaps in Texas—right before the new legislative session begins.