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The Blast - June 6, 2025 [1]

['The Texas Tribune']

Date: 2025-06

Talarico may step up to the plate in 2026

TALARICO MAY STEP UP TO THE PLATE IN 2026

Texas Democrats’ boy wonder, state Rep. James Talarico, is considering a run for the U.S. Senate.

As reported by Hearst newspapers’ Edward McKinley — on his last day as a journalist — Talarico is seriously considering a bid in what Democrats hope will be a bounceback year.

Talarico, a 36-year-old Austinite serving in his fourth term, has had his name in the mix for several years now. Democrats view him as one of their best messengers, and his social media posts often go viral, reaching beyond normal political circles. He’s been making a lot of calls in recent days, including to national donors.

There’s increased national attention on Texas because if Democrats hope to retake the Senate in 2026, the tipping point could be the Lone Star State. And with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton giving U.S. Sen. John Cornyn a serious contest in the Republican primary, Democrats are dreaming about taking on Paxton and all his baggage at the top of the ticket in a Trump blowback year. The blowback could get worse if the president continues to create economic uncertainty.

But before Talarico can face Cornyn or Paxton, he’ll have to get through the Democratic primary. Former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas is considering another shot at the Senate.

Allred lost to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz by 8.5 points in November — but that was more than 5 points better than Democrats did at the presidential level. Allred received nearly 200,000 more votes than former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Previously, some confidants had suggested that Talarico might sit out 2026. He’s young, he has an influential gig in the Texas House Democratic Caucus and there will be other chances to run again.

But what’s to say Talarico would benefit from more playing time in the minor leagues?

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[1] Url: https://thetexastribune.beehiiv.com/p/the-blast-june-6-2025-c98ad96c4390df13

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