Talarico Courts Texas Voters as Senate Race Enters Final Days

James Talarico addressed about two hundred people dressed as Catrinas and ghouls at a Día de los Muertos festival in downtown Corpus Christi last Saturday night. The candidate, in a blazer and cowboy boots, spoke for one minute about faith, family, and freedom before a cumbia d.j. named El Dusty resumed playing.

Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, has raised more than $134 million since becoming the nominee in March, the most of any Democratic Senate campaign this cycle. Polls have shown the race within the margin of error.

His opponent, Ken Paxton, received Donald Trump's endorsement. Paxton has faced an impeachment trial, allegations of infidelity from his estranged wife, and corruption charges. Trump said of Paxton, "he may not be the best-looking guy I've ever seen."

At the Corpus Christi festival, John Herrera, a twenty-one-year-old premed student, said he voted for Trump in 2024. He has since soured on the President over costs and immigration enforcement. His grandmother, Aurelia Ramirez, said, "Well, I'm going to try Democrat and see how things go."

Tory Gavito, president of the donor network Way to Win in Austin, said, "Talarico has to do everything." She said she worries that ads touting a property tax cut send the wrong message to young renters. "Property tax is a meaningless concept to them," Gavito said.

At a rally in Corpus Christi, staff verified guests by placing gold stars on them. Among the nine hundred and sixteen attendees was Mailey Gonzalez, nineteen, who said she wished Talarico spoke more about women's health care. Thomas Saenz, twenty-three, from McAllen, said Talarico's name was not well known in the Rio Grande Valley.

Chuck Rocha, a Talarico adviser, said the campaign spent the most money on Spanish-language outreach and ads that he had seen a Texas candidate spend in three and a half decades in politics. At an event in Weslaco on Sunday, Talarico addressed an audience of over eight thousand people.