Polls show a tight race as Talarico enters the final weeks with a $1.5 million cash advantage over his opponent Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.
HOUSTON — With the March 3 primary now just days away, Texas Democrats are racing to choose a nominee they believe can flip the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn.
At the top of the ticket: James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett, two Democrats offering very different pitches to voters.
KHOU 11’s Marcelino Benito sat down with Talarico as the race enters its final stretch.
A race with few fireworks — but high stakes
After a recent debate that featured few sharp policy divides, both campaigns are now focused on separating themselves before voters head to the polls.
Asked why voters should trust him to flip the seat, Talarico pointed to his political track record.
He highlighted his win in a once-solidly Republican district, one that had not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter saying he built a broad coalition by energizing Democrats, appealing to young voters, and winning over independents and some Republicans.
“We need a nominee who knows how to win tough races, and I have deep love and respect for Congresswoman Crockett, but she has never run in a competitive general election before,” Talarico said.
Faith, public service, and separation of church and state
A former public school teacher turned Texas lawmaker, Talarico has been described as a rising star within the Democratic Party. He is also a seminary student who has made faith a visible part of his public story.
“My faith is central in my life,” Talarico said. “My granddad was a Baptist preacher in South Texas. And when I was real little, he told me that we follow the two commandments that Jesus gave us, love God and love neighbor. And that second commandment to love my neighbor as myself is what motivated my public service. That said, I am the fiercest defender of the separation of church and state.”
Campaign focus: corruption and cost of living
Talarico has centered his campaign on a message that political corruption is driving up the cost of living for Texas families.
“We’re not going to bring down the cost of groceries,” Talarico said. “We’re not going to bring down the cost of childcare or prescription drugs or housing unless we tackle this corruption crisis, because right now we don’t have a government that works for us. We have a government that works for billionaires and billionaires alone. We need to rebuild a government of, by and for the people again.”
Immigration as a defining issue
Talarico also says government dysfunction and cruelty is playing out with immigration enforcement, an issue that has become increasingly prominent in the campaign.
He criticized both national Democrats and Republicans, saying failures by multiple administrations have contributed to what he calls extremism in immigration enforcement.
“The American people and Texans broadly do not want this kind of extremism,” said Talarico. “They were failed by the Biden administration. They’re being failed by the Trump administration. We need a new course on this issue, and it’s one that my campaign is advocating for.”
Polls tight — money could matter
Polling shows a tight race between Talarico and Crockett heading into the final days before the primary.
If Talarico were to win both the primary and the general election, he would become the youngest member of the U.S. Senate.
“I think people are ready for some new blood in our government,” said Talarico. “They’re ready for fresh ideas, fresh perspectives in our politics.”
Campaign finances could play a key role in the closing stretch. A KHOU 11 analysis of the past three months of campaign finance reports shows Talarico currently holds a $1.5 million cash advantage over Crockett.