James Talarico Lands Congressional Black Caucus Backing in Texas Senate Race

Texas Senate nominee James Talarico (D-TX) scored a key endorsement from the Congressional Black Caucus after months of campaigning to close the voting gap among Black Texans.

With just over one month left until the midterms, eyes are turning to the battleground state as the point difference between Talarico and opponent Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX) remains at a steadfast one to three percentage points.

According to recent polling this week, Talarico leads Paxton in Black voters by nearly 75 percentage points.

“At a moment when Texas families are being squeezed by rising costs and communities are demanding accountable leadership, James has shown he is ready to take on corruption, fight for working people, and ensure every Texan has a voice in Washington,” Chairman and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) said in a statement.

Although the endorsement comes with no financial benefit, Talarico still holds a $55.2 million fundraising lead, having raised $72 million to Paxton’s $16.8 million through June 30. Talarico has said he would not accept corporate PAC contributions.

“Black Texans deserve a senator who will show up, listen, and fight for their communities — and James Talarico will be that,” Rep. Meeks said.

This recent endorsement comes after Talarico said he was expanding his Black outreach team and committing $25 million to efforts to reach Black voters. Talarico has also received endorsements from former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris, who previously endorsed Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in the primaries.

“If we earn the trust of Black Texans, if we earn their support, then we are going to win this race in November,” Talarico said at a campaign event in July. “I feel that in my bones that we can do this together. And that’s the only way we do it is together.”

Talarico defeated outgoing Rep. Crockett in March, after which she eventually endorsed him but said she would not campaign for him.

“Texas is primed to turn blue and we must remain united because this is bigger than any one person,” Rep. Crockett said after conceding to Talarico.