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.”

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[–] 23 points 8 months ago (8 children)

However, the democrats have had more than a handful of bad actors and turncoats in recent years.

If you were worried about a turncoat, I'd argue Crockett had much worse vibes. Israeli apologist, surveillance state supporter, pretty cynical in her position on immigration, and deeply self-promotional in a Stacey Abrahams way.

Also, her UAF fixation is... not great.

Talarico has his problems (took a big chunk of cash from the casino industry, for instance). But his politics at least seems more populist.

Idk if that's going to matter. Odds of winning a statewide office in Texas as a Democrat have been dogshit for thirty years.

But if I've got to live with a mushy liberal Dem as a Texas senator, I'm happier with him than the alternative.

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago (4 children)

    Honest question but why would taking casino money be a problem. Unless you’re a religious nut with a gambling addiction it’s not really a bad thing. Lots of jobs associated with casinos that will explode the local economy.

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  • [–] 7 points 8 months ago (2 children)

    why would taking casino money be a problem

    Cause the casino was Miriam Adelson's, and she's one of Trump's biggest backers.

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  • [–] 3 points 8 months ago* (1 child)

    That’s really bad. Any Israel connection is going to drive his chances way down. Especially if that ghoul Addleson is involved

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  • [–] 2 points 8 months ago

    That’s really bad.

    It's not great. But you're going to find it hard to locate a politician without this kind of relationship, because anyone who doesn't get their beak wet.

    Especially if that ghoul Addleson is involved

    The Addlesons spread around a ton of money, especially at the state level.

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  • [–] 3 points 8 months ago*

    I'm religious, but that's not why I have an issue with gambling. To quote people I mildly disagree with on a different issue, I believe that gambling should be "safe, legal, and rare". I'm anti prohibition of most vices, but I think gambling has an atrocious social risk profile, and since its only benefits seem to have been taking some of white people's money back to native tribes, it should have been left for reservations.

    That said, I'm hopeful for Talirico

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