– As a closely watched U.S. Senate primary race in Texas heats up, state Representative James Talarico is gaining national attention, partly due to a recent controversy surrounding an interview with Stephen Colbert. The 36-year-old Democrat is challenging U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett for the party’s nomination to take on the Republican incumbent this November.
Born in in Round Rock, Texas, Talarico describes himself as a “eighth-generation Texan.” His early life was marked by hardship, as his mother fled an abusive relationship with his father, moving them to a hotel and later an apartment in east Austin, according to accounts of his personal history.
Talarico’s educational path led him to the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in government. He then joined Teach for America, teaching sixth-grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio, a historically Mexican-American community. He later pursued a master’s degree in Education and a degree in education policy at Harvard University.
His entry into Texas politics came in , when he successfully ran for the state House of Representatives, defeating Republican Cynthia Flores. He became the youngest member of the Texas legislature during his first term, focusing on education-related legislation. He was re-elected in , winning by a significant margin against Lucio Valdez, and again in . In , he ran unopposed for a fourth term.
During his time in the state legislature, Talarico has been a vocal opponent of conservative policies. He participated in a walkout in that temporarily stalled a redistricting bill. He also publicly criticized a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms.
Talarico announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in , setting up a primary contest against Crockett. The race is being viewed as a test of the Democratic Party’s direction in the state, and both candidates are considered rising stars within the party.
Recently, Talarico’s profile rose nationally after an interview with Stephen Colbert on CBS’s “The Late Show” was abruptly halted. Colbert stated that CBS lawyers intervened, citing concerns about the FCC’s equal time rule. The interview was subsequently released on “The Late Show’s” YouTube channel, with Talarico framing it as “the interview Donald Trump didn’t want you to see.”
Despite identifying as a “deeply religious Christian” and having been raised Presbyterian, Talarico has been a vocal critic of Christian nationalism. He discussed his faith and its influence on his career during an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast in .
Talarico’s policy positions generally align with progressive ideals. He has expressed support for reforms to healthcare insurance, the Supreme Court, and more humanitarian approaches to immigration. He has also advocated for capping the cost of insulin at $25 per month, a proposal stemming from his own diagnosis with diabetes following a campaign event where he walked 25 miles across his district.
The primary election, scheduled for , will determine which Democrat will challenge the Republican nominee in the general election. Given that no Democrat has won statewide office in Texas since , the race is considered an uphill battle for the party. However, the outcome will likely shape the future direction of the Democratic Party in Texas and potentially influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, which currently stands at 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, with the Vice President holding the tie-breaking vote.
Both Talarico and Crockett are hoping to become the first millennial to represent Texas in the Senate. Talarico is 36, while Crockett is 44. Their legislative experience is comparable, with Crockett having served one term in the Texas House and two in Congress, and Talarico completing four terms in the state House. Both are considered fast-rising stars in the Democratic Party, nationally and within Texas.
