TX-SEN: Meet the candidates running to be the next U.S. Senator from Texas: James Talarico (D) [View all]

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The U.S. Senate race in Texas is quickly shaping up to be one of the most contentious elections across the United States in the 2026 cycle. Since 2003, the seat has belonged to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who is aiming for a fifth term.

State Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, started his political career in 2018 when he flipped a Texas House seat from Republican to Democratic in a special election to replace retiring State Rep. Larry Gonzales.

Talarico often cites his experience as a teacher at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio as his reason for running. According to Census Reporter, 42.7% of people who reside in Rhodes’ zip code live below the poverty line.

Nexstar State Capitol Correspondent Dylan McKim sat down for a 1-on-1 interview with Talarico on Sunday. This is the third in Nexstar’s series of profiles of the candidates running to be the next U.S. Senator from Texas. The following transcript is only edited for clarity and readability.


https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5643731-meet-the-candidates-running-to-be-the-next-u-s-senator-from-texas-james-talarico/