AUSTIN — James Talarico once taught sixth graders in San Antonio. Now the 37-year-old Texas lawmaker, who is studying to become a Presbyterian pastor, is running for the U.S. Senate against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate election in Texas since 1988. Talarico is trying to end that losing streak.
Recent polls show a competitive race. A New York Times/Siena survey conducted October 27 to November 1 found Talarico at 50 percent and Paxton at 43 percent. That lead is outside the poll’s margin of error, and it is the widest lead Talarico has posted in a major national survey. An Atlas Intel survey also showed Talarico ahead, while a Republican-sponsored Trafalgar poll found the candidates nearly tied.
The surveys offer different pictures of the race. The result will depend on voters Tuesday.
From the Classroom to Politics
Talarico grew up in the Austin area, raised largely by his mother. When his father became abusive, she moved the family to a hotel, and later to an apartment in east Austin, according to his campaign. His grandfather was a preacher, and Talarico calls himself an eighth-generation Texan.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011. He joined Teach For America and taught sixth-grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio. He later earned a master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University and ran the Central Texas office of an education nonprofit.
In 2018, at age 29, he won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, defeating a Republican in a district the party had held since 2010. He campaigned by walking the district street by street, and he has held the seat since.
Education, health care costs and public school funding became central issues in his political career.
But Talarico drew national attention for something less common in Texas Democratic politics: his religious arguments.
While serving in the Legislature, he began studying at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His speeches challenging Republican-backed legislation using biblical teachings spread widely online.
He argues that his Christian faith calls him to defend public schools, help families struggling with expenses and challenge the influence of wealthy donors in politics.
What Talarico and Paxton Are Telling Voters
Talarico has focused his final campaign message on the cost of living and money in politics.
At a Houston rally on Saturday, he promised to support restrictions on political donations, congressional stock trading and the drawing of voting districts for partisan advantage.
His campaign has accused wealthy donors of trying to influence the election through their financial support for Paxton.
Paxton has taken a different approach.
The Republican attorney general, who has held office since 2015, argues that Talarico’s policies are too liberal for Texas. He has emphasized tax cuts, border security, conservative social policies and his record of challenging federal government actions.
At a Houston campaign event on Friday, Paxton outlined proposed tax deductions for health care and home purchases, including a $25,000 deduction for medical expenses and a $50,000 deduction for first-time homebuyers. He argued that his policies would leave families with more money.
Both candidates have accused the other of putting political interests ahead of Texans.
The Controversies Following Both Candidates
Paxton’s legal and political history has been a major issue in the race.
The Republican-led Texas House impeached him in 2023 over allegations involving his conduct as attorney general. The Texas Senate later acquitted him.
He also faced a long-running securities fraud case that ended without a criminal conviction. Paxton denies wrongdoing and has described the investigations as politically motivated.
Talarico has faced questions of his own.
A Texas Tribune and ProPublica investigation examined his voting registration after he purchased a home but continued using his parents’ address. His campaign disputed suggestions of wrongdoing.
His campaign also acknowledged that an earlier account of when he began dating a former staff member was incorrect.
The two candidates have used these disputes to question each other’s judgment and honesty.
What Tuesday Will Decide
Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994.
Talarico is asking voters to break that pattern, promising changes to political fundraising rules and greater attention to education and household expenses.
Paxton is asking Texans to continue supporting Republican leadership, pointing to his conservative record and proposals to reduce taxes.
The outcome will determine who represents Texas in the U.S. Senate and contribute to the national contest for control of Congress.
Polls open Tuesday, November 3. Voters can check election information through the Texas Secretary of State at VoteTexas.gov.
