Texas Democratic State Rep. James Talarico to Launch Bid for Cornyn’s Senate Seat

The rising star is jumping into a primary that includes former Rep. Colin Allred, who lost to Sen. Ted Cruz last cycle.

Texas Rep. James Talarico
Texas Rep. James Talarico (AP Photo/Talia Sprague)

James Talarico, a Texas state representative and rising star in Democratic politics, is set to launch a bid Tuesday to run for incumbent Sen. John Cornyn’s Senate seat, a person familiar with his plans told NOTUS.

Talarico, a 36-year-old pastor and former educator, attracted national attention as the leading voice of Texas Democratic lawmakers who left the state in an attempt to prevent Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting efforts. He’s also been the rare Democrat to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast.

Cornyn’s seat has attracted a lot of attention from the Democratic Party because of the brutal primary expected between the senator and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is leading Cornyn in the polls.