From Classroom To The Campaign Trail: James Talarico’s 2026 U.S. Senate Bid In Texas

The 2026 U.S. Senate contest in Texas is shaping up as one of the most closely watched races nationwide. The seat, held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn since 2003, is once again a focal point as Democrats marshal challengers across the state. Democratic State Rep. James Talarico of Round Rock — a former San Antonio teacher and current seminary student — is running to unseat the long-standing incumbent.

Background And Personal Story

James Talarico began his political career in 2018, winning a special election that flipped a Republican-held Texas House seat. He frequently cites his classroom experience at Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio as central to his decision to enter public service; Census Reporter data indicates roughly 42.7% of residents in Rhodes’ ZIP code live below the poverty line.

Talarico describes himself as an eighth-generation Texan with deep family roots in the Round Rock area. He emphasizes family as a core part of his life and identity and says his time in the classroom — including teaching overcrowded classes after state education cuts — spurred him into politics.

Faith And Seminary Studies

In addition to legislative work, Talarico is pursuing theological studies. He earned a Master of Theological Studies in May and plans to return to complete a Master of Divinity, the credential required for ordination in the Presbyterian Church. He frames his public service through a faith lens, saying his grandfather, a Baptist preacher, taught him to "love God and love neighbor." For Talarico, that translates into policy goals aimed at reducing the costs of childcare, housing and prescription drugs.

"To sustain that difficult work, it has to be rooted in a love of God," Talarico told Nexstar. "There is a spiritual crisis in this country... restoring civic ties will require both faith communities and ordinary Texans rediscovering connections with neighbors."

Legislative Record

During his tenure in the Texas House, Talarico highlights several bipartisan achievements despite serving in a Republican-dominated chamber. He points to measures to cap insulin copays — the first such cap in Texas history — legislation to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, a major early childhood package, and bills aimed at lowering housing costs. He also led efforts to equip Texas schools with Narcan in response to fentanyl overdoses.

Campaign Strategy And Name Recognition

Facing a crowded field and low initial name recognition (an August Texas Politics Project poll found 54% of respondents did not know him), Talarico says his campaign is traveling statewide to meet voters directly. In the campaign’s first three months he reports visiting communities across Texas — from Beaumont to El Paso and Amarillo to Brownsville — aiming to build one-on-one relationships with voters in both urban and rural areas and to appeal to independents and moderate Republicans.

Policy Priorities

Talarico’s top federal priority, he says, would be to tackle structural issues that he believes undermine American democracy. On day one in the U.S. Senate, he would file legislation to ban partisan gerrymandering nationwide. He also advocates:

• Banning unlimited secret donations and super PAC influence;
• Prohibiting members of Congress from trading individual stocks to avoid conflicts of interest;
• Tax code reforms to make billionaires pay a fairer share, with revenue directed toward healthcare, education and housing;
• Comprehensive immigration reform that pairs stronger border security and modernized ports of entry with humane asylum processing and measures to crack down on cartels;
• More resources to detect and stop fentanyl and other contraband at ports of entry and to reduce overdose deaths in communities.

Working Across The Aisle

Talarico stresses his ability to both challenge and collaborate with Republican colleagues when necessary. He urges voters to judge him by his public record — votes, bills filed and the legislation he has helped pass — and frames his approach as pragmatic: fight back against policies that harm constituents while pursuing bipartisan solutions where possible.

Why He Says He Can Win

Talarico points to his 2018 victory in a Trump-won district as proof of his ability to build a broad coalition of Democrats, independents and some Republicans. He argues that his classroom experience and legislative record make him well-suited to argue for policies that restore opportunity and lower costs for working families across Texas.

Note: This article is based on an edited one-on-one interview with Nexstar correspondent Dylan McKim and is reorganized for clarity while preserving the interview’s facts and key quotes.