James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for a US Senate seat in Texas on Tuesday, capping a remarkable rise from state lawmaker and seminary student to the party’s standard-bearer in one of the key races of the 2026 midterm cycle.
With his blend of faith-based populism, bipartisan appeal and generational energy, Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a firebrand beloved by the party’s base but who struggled to dispel concerns that she could defeat a Republican in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide in more than 30 years.
A jubilant Talarico told supporters in Austin before the race was called: “We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.”
I love Jasmine Crockett but infuriatingly, a white man that talks frequently about his Christian faith is much more likely to win a senate seat in Texas.
It’s not about race…
Talarico is more progressive and can convince people to agree with him.
Crockett is more conservative and just yells at people, that’s why the NRSC manipulated her into running, why after that came out she refused to acknowledge it, and why she’s now claiming the reason she lost is racism and she’s suing.
Even if we were skipping a general and either one was guaranteed to be a Texas Senator, Talarico.was the best choice.
It wasn’t just “who’s most electable” and frankly it’s concerning that so many people didn’t look deeper than skin color but are so opinionated on this.
You’re the reason the NRSC tried this manipulation, because it worked on you.
We can’t afford for it to happen again, look into candidates and what they actually have as a platform. Not just who’s the most outrageous on social media.
I love his gimmick! Being openly Christian and stuff, but not being an intolerant, genocidal brained, warmonger!
I also like Crockett, but to be fair I haven’t seen much about Talerico I don’t like beyond his Christianity. To be fair in that regard he at least talks the talk of a genuine Christian, rather than the hate mongering bigotry you normally see.
Remember that Crockett took a $25k paid trip to Israel by an AIPAC affiliate. Also Talarico’s messaging blows hers out of the water with independents and moderate Republicans, and yet still manages to put him closer to AOC in attacking billionaires.
And also of separation of church and state.
His faith-based takedown of the bill to put up donated ten commandments posters in classrooms was pretty great.
My problem with Crockett was that she took corporate PAC money. Talerico ran on not taking corporate PAC money.
I don’t think Talerico is nearly progressive enough, with the main issue I found being that he supports a public option over universal healthcare, which will ultimately leave insurance corporations in charge. I do hope that, if elected, he could be convinced to pivot further left and that he will continue to not take corporate money, but at this point, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Tbf he’s Presbyterian, the same church as Mr Rogers, and by this atheist’s view, the only genuinely honest Christian sect as a whole. They focus heavily on Christ’s teaching on community, believe in the charitable service of others as the devine will of god, and they don’t prostilitize or require tithes. That’s not to say bad people can’t be apart of any faith, but as he’s a minister of that church (like Mr Rogers) I’m inclined to think he’s honest about those core beliefs and not just riding the good name of the church like other politicians have.
Ultimately none of that really matters. He’s on record more progressive than Crockett, and unlike her, did not take AIPAC money. That should be a deal breaker for any voter I don’t care what party, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion.
https://www.trackaipac.com/states/texas
Are you not counting unitarians? Because hands down they’re the best denomination. Only ones I see consistently waving rainbow flags and free Palestine banners.
Unitarian is not Christian. There are a lot of disaffected Christians at your local Unitarian church, but they welcome all religions as well as atheists.
The good news is that Crockett will remain in Congress where she has been a very effective critic of MAGA. I’m sorry she probably won’t be able to move beyond that position, but that’s the consequences of being a black woman politician in Texas. She’s lucky to be in that office at all.
AOC, OTOH, has a good chance of taking Schmuck Schumer’s or BackStabbing Gillibrand’s seats, and I wish she’d get to doing it. Those two have to go, especially Schmuckie-Boy.
Alexandria has bigger things in store for her i hope. But someone needs to send Schumer to his retirement home in Tel Aviv for sure
This map convinces me of that. Even amongst the people voting in a dem primary, the rural people preferred the white church boy. Crockett is more qualified, but Talarico has a better chance of actually winning.
Fortunately, they were both good candidates.
Because she has 3 whole years in the House…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasmine_Crockett
And Tarico only has checks notes 8 years of experience in House.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Talarico
But it’s not just that, he’s religious and the grandson a Christian church leader! Not like Crockett who…
Is religious and the daughter of a Christian church leader…
Well, she only takes some money from corporate PACS, and he takes… Well, he takes none, but…
The only thing Crockett has more experience in, is losing elections.
The only one she won, was because crypto bros bought it for her and the incumbent heavily supported her.
There’s no logical reason for everyone to have such high options of her, except you all fell for billionaire and Republican propaganda
Can you give me a logical defense of:
Because I legitimately never understood her “rise”.