After weeks of speculation, state Rep. James Talarico (D) has finally announced his bid for the Texas senate, and his platform includes going after billionaires.
In a year when Democrats feel they have a chance to make significant legislative gains, Senator John Cornyn (R) finds himself with challengers from both sides of the political aisle.
As expected, state Rep. Talarico announced his candidacy for the Texas senate, sharing a video of him giving an impassioned plea to Texans.
I’m running for the U.S. Senate.
Billionaires have taken over Texas and taken over America — but together, we can take power back for working people.
Join this movement: https://t.co/Cam7Y742fM pic.twitter.com/jPIrIJeX0A
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) September 9, 2025
“The biggest divide in our country is not left versus right. It’s top versus bottom," the Texas Democrat said, affirming that his platform is to directly go after the wealthy.
"The people at the top work so hard to keep us angry and divided because our unity is a threat to their wealth and their power, so their social media algorithms and their cable news networks tear us apart," state Rep. Talarico said. "They divide us by party, by race, by gender, by religion, so that we don't notice that they're defunding our schools, gutting our healthcare, and cutting taxes for themselves and their rich friends."
The Texas Democrat has been a rising star in the Democratic Party, and his entry into the race pits him against former Rep. Colin Allred (D), who previously ran an unsuccessful bid against Senator Ted Cruz (R).
State Rep. Talarico's candidacy also highlights a push Democrats have long had to turn Texas blue. As Republicans engage in infighting, Democrats are hoping that the tension translates to a senate seat going blue.
So far, Democrats have not won a statewide race since 1994, and state Rep. Talarico is hoping that his appeal will change that in 2026.
He is a former middle school teacher who has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2018. Earlier this year, he took part in an interview with Joe Rogan, who suggested that the Texas Democrat should run for president.
