James Talarico

James Talarico was born in Round Rock, Texas, attended Wells Branch Elementary School and graduated from McNeil High School. He earned degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University. After college he taught sixth grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School on the west side of San Antonio. He was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018 and represents District 50, which covers part of Travis County, in the 89th Legislature; his committee assignments include Public Education, Juvenile Justice and Family Issues, and Calendars. His campaign describes him as a Presbyterian seminarian. He entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race in 2025 and won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary over Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. On the Republican side, Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton went to a May 26, 2026 runoff, which Paxton won. Talarico faces Paxton in the November 3, 2026 general election.