On Sept. 5, 2025, Texas state Rep. James Talarico, 36, announced plans to enter the 2026 Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, joining a growing field that already includes former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and ex-astronaut Terry Virts.
Key Takeaways
- James Talarico, a Democrat from Austin, is launching a primary campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
- Talarico has served in the Texas House since 2018 and represents parts of North Austin, Pflugerville and Round Rock.
- He joins a Democratic primary that includes Colin Allred and Terry Virts; other high-profile Democrats have not ruled out running.
- The Senate seat is currently held by four-term Republican John Cornyn, who faces a competitive GOP primary from Ken Paxton.
- Talarico is best known for viral social media videos and a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, raising his national profile.
- His background includes public school teaching, nonprofit leadership, and a 2024 master’s in theological studies.
Verified Facts
State Representative James Talarico announced his Senate campaign plans on Sept. 5, 2025. He was first elected to the Texas House in 2018 and currently serves a district in Central Texas that includes parts of Austin, Pflugerville and Round Rock.
Talarico, 36, previously represented a more competitive seat that was redrawn by Republican lawmakers in 2021. He is a former public school teacher and nonprofit director and completed a master’s degree in theological studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2024.
National media outlets including Politico and CNN reported Talarico’s decision earlier on Sept. 5. The entry adds to a Democratic primary that already lists former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred and former astronaut Terry Virts as candidates; other Democrats such as Beto O’Rourke and Joaquin Castro have publicly teased interest but have not launched campaigns.
Context & Impact
The 2026 Senate contest in Texas is being watched closely because Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a four-term incumbent, faces a tough intra-party challenge from Attorney General Ken Paxton. Democrats perceive Paxton’s legal and ethical troubles as potential vulnerabilities in a general election matchup.
Talarico begins with stronger name recognition inside Central Texas than statewide. His viral social media presence — including TikTok videos that have drawn millions of views and a notable appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast — has boosted his profile beyond his legislative district.
If the Democratic primary remains crowded, candidates will compete for statewide donor networks, Latino and suburban voters, and organizing capacity across large and diverse Texas regions. Building name recognition outside Austin will be an early strategic priority for Talarico’s campaign.
Primary Field (Selected)
| Candidate | Background |
|---|---|
| James Talarico | State representative, former teacher, nonprofit director |
| Colin Allred | Former U.S. representative |
| Terry Virts | Former NASA astronaut |
”There’s nothing Christian about Christian nationalism,”
James Talarico
Unconfirmed
- Whether Beto O’Rourke or Rep. Joaquin Castro will enter the Senate primary remains unconfirmed.
- Specific statewide polling showing the matchup impact of Talarico vs. Cornyn is not yet available.
Bottom Line
James Talarico’s entry makes the 2026 Democratic primary in Texas more crowded and signals a strategic effort to recruit younger, faith-forward progressive voices to challenge Republican incumbents. His immediate task will be to scale his Central Texas visibility into a statewide operation capable of competing across Texas’ varied political terrain.