8 days ago
Tesla (TSLA) and **** eX (SPCX) stock fell on Wednesday after Democrats took control of both houses of Congress in a "Blue Wave" that flipped Texas, home to both companies, with potential implications for CEO Elon Musk.
Musk spent $224 million backing Texas Republicans, including $158 million in September alone, per The New York Times, part of at least $446 million he gave to Republican candidates and groups before the vote. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Gov. Greg Abbott to become the first Democratic governor of Texas since 1990, and Democrat James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton for the Senate seat.
Tesla and **** eX both dropped by over 2% despite the broad market rally, which includes Big Tech.
"Both of these stocks have major headline risk if we get a blue sweep," Vikram Rai of FirstNew York told Bloomberg ahead of the election.
#tesla #democrat
Musk spent $224 million backing Texas Republicans, including $158 million in September alone, per The New York Times, part of at least $446 million he gave to Republican candidates and groups before the vote. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Gov. Greg Abbott to become the first Democratic governor of Texas since 1990, and Democrat James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton for the Senate seat.
Tesla and **** eX both dropped by over 2% despite the broad market rally, which includes Big Tech.
"Both of these stocks have major headline risk if we get a blue sweep," Vikram Rai of FirstNew York told Bloomberg ahead of the election.
#tesla #democrat
8 days ago
Democrats have regained control of Congress, winning back the U.S. House and Senate as Republican midterm losses mount.
Coming into the night, Republicans held 53 of the Senate's 100 seats, compared with 45 held by Democrats. To wrest back control of the Senate, Democrats needed a net gain of at least four seats. As at 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the Democrats had won 54 Senate seats to the GOP's 44.
Democrats won a series of key Senate seats. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers in one of the most closely watched races. James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in the Lone Star State since 1988.
Annie Andrews beat GOP Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina to flip a Senate seat. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins, putting an end to her three-decade tenure. Sen. Jon Ossoff comfortably won reelection in Georgia. Other Senate seats to flip to the Democratic Party included Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Sherrod Brown in Ohio.
In the 435-seat House, the GOP held 218 seats, compared with 214 held by Democrats. To retake control of the House, Democrats needed a net gain of three seats — and the AP said early Wednesday that the party had exceeded that figure.
#democrats #seat
Coming into the night, Republicans held 53 of the Senate's 100 seats, compared with 45 held by Democrats. To wrest back control of the Senate, Democrats needed a net gain of at least four seats. As at 6 a.m. ET on Wednesday, the Democrats had won 54 Senate seats to the GOP's 44.
Democrats won a series of key Senate seats. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers in one of the most closely watched races. James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in the Lone Star State since 1988.
Annie Andrews beat GOP Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina to flip a Senate seat. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins, putting an end to her three-decade tenure. Sen. Jon Ossoff comfortably won reelection in Georgia. Other Senate seats to flip to the Democratic Party included Roy Cooper in North Carolina and Sherrod Brown in Ohio.
In the 435-seat House, the GOP held 218 seats, compared with 214 held by Democrats. To retake control of the House, Democrats needed a net gain of three seats — and the AP said early Wednesday that the party had exceeded that figure.
#democrats #seat
8 days ago
It was a blue wave big enough to become a blue tsunami.
On Tuesday, the Democratic Party shattered a series of decades-long Republican winning streaks, notched several historic firsts and flipped both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as Americans in states and districts that voted to reelect President Trump just two years ago delivered a harsh judgment on the steep tariffs, rising gas prices, aggressive immigration raids and unresolved war in Iran that have so far dominated his second term.
"We didn't win this race by alienating our neighbors or shaming our neighbors or ridiculing our neighbors," Democrat James Talarico said after winning the Senate election in Texas. "We embodied a new kind of politics. A politics rooted in a deep love for our state, for our country and, most importantly, for all of our neighbors."
U.S. Sen.-elect James Talarico speaks during a midterm election night event at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
Votes were still being tallied and key races remained uncalled as Election Day came to an end. But as of 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday, when the last polls closed in Alaska, Democrats were projected to gain more than three dozen seats in the House and as many as nine seats in the Senate — far beyond the three and four seats, respectively, that they needed to retake each chamber. They were also on track to win the majority of governorships for the first time since 2011.
#election
On Tuesday, the Democratic Party shattered a series of decades-long Republican winning streaks, notched several historic firsts and flipped both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as Americans in states and districts that voted to reelect President Trump just two years ago delivered a harsh judgment on the steep tariffs, rising gas prices, aggressive immigration raids and unresolved war in Iran that have so far dominated his second term.
"We didn't win this race by alienating our neighbors or shaming our neighbors or ridiculing our neighbors," Democrat James Talarico said after winning the Senate election in Texas. "We embodied a new kind of politics. A politics rooted in a deep love for our state, for our country and, most importantly, for all of our neighbors."
U.S. Sen.-elect James Talarico speaks during a midterm election night event at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
Votes were still being tallied and key races remained uncalled as Election Day came to an end. But as of 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday, when the last polls closed in Alaska, Democrats were projected to gain more than three dozen seats in the House and as many as nine seats in the Senate — far beyond the three and four seats, respectively, that they needed to retake each chamber. They were also on track to win the majority of governorships for the first time since 2011.
#election
14 days ago
Megan Rapinoe has never been shy about speaking up for transgender athletes, even as the issue has become one of the most heated debates in sports. And in a recent interview, the United States Women's National Team legend made it clear that her stance hasn't changed.
In a recent podcast, Rapinoe pushed back on the idea that trans women threaten fairness in women's sports, arguing that sports have never been fair in the first place and claiming that fairness shouldn't matter more than people's human rights.
The debate over transgender athletes in women's sports has only intensified over the past couple of years, with Republicans making it a central political issue and many states passing laws that ban trans girls and women from competing in girls' and women's sports.
The issue has spilled into the sports world, too. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham sparked a nationwide conversation this year when she voiced her opposition to trans women competing in women's sports.
Even some Democrats have distanced themselves from the issue. Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, for example, has said that he opposes trans athletes playing in girls' sports "if it endangers safety or fairness."
#ISSUE #athletes #women
In a recent podcast, Rapinoe pushed back on the idea that trans women threaten fairness in women's sports, arguing that sports have never been fair in the first place and claiming that fairness shouldn't matter more than people's human rights.
The debate over transgender athletes in women's sports has only intensified over the past couple of years, with Republicans making it a central political issue and many states passing laws that ban trans girls and women from competing in girls' and women's sports.
The issue has spilled into the sports world, too. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham sparked a nationwide conversation this year when she voiced her opposition to trans women competing in women's sports.
Even some Democrats have distanced themselves from the issue. Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, for example, has said that he opposes trans athletes playing in girls' sports "if it endangers safety or fairness."
#ISSUE #athletes #women
1 month ago
October 8, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News
The U.S. Senate candidates in Texas could hardly be more different: James Talarico, a former seminarian turned Democratic state lawmaker who speaks in calm cadences about love and empathy, and Ken Paxton, the pugnacious Republican state attorney general who speaks about a refusal to compromise.
They share an enemy, though. They dislike social media's effects on children's mental health. Talarico, who did not respond to a request for comment, has endorsed a social media ban for kids under 16, while denouncing "predatory algorithms that divide us on an hourly, daily basis." As a legislator, he co-authored a bill targeting explicit deepfakes — digital imitations of individuals that are often made or manipulated by artificial intelligence and used for harassment on social media.
Paxton has been suing Big Tech, alleging the companies hook youth on their apps or don't restrict sensitive videos from being viewed by kids. "When elected to the U.S. Senate, he will continue his proven record of advancing policies that protect children online, strengthen parental rights, and hold Big Tech accountable when it breaks the law," Paxton campaign spokesperson Madison Cercy said in a statement to KFF Health News.
Youth mental health is in decline. Even as researchers explore what's causing the problem, momentum is gathering among policymakers from both parties to crack down on social media companies. Several major companies are being sued, investigated, and, soon, potentially regulated. That they may be harming kids' mental health is a key reason.
#Social #kids #senate #Tech
The U.S. Senate candidates in Texas could hardly be more different: James Talarico, a former seminarian turned Democratic state lawmaker who speaks in calm cadences about love and empathy, and Ken Paxton, the pugnacious Republican state attorney general who speaks about a refusal to compromise.
They share an enemy, though. They dislike social media's effects on children's mental health. Talarico, who did not respond to a request for comment, has endorsed a social media ban for kids under 16, while denouncing "predatory algorithms that divide us on an hourly, daily basis." As a legislator, he co-authored a bill targeting explicit deepfakes — digital imitations of individuals that are often made or manipulated by artificial intelligence and used for harassment on social media.
Paxton has been suing Big Tech, alleging the companies hook youth on their apps or don't restrict sensitive videos from being viewed by kids. "When elected to the U.S. Senate, he will continue his proven record of advancing policies that protect children online, strengthen parental rights, and hold Big Tech accountable when it breaks the law," Paxton campaign spokesperson Madison Cercy said in a statement to KFF Health News.
Youth mental health is in decline. Even as researchers explore what's causing the problem, momentum is gathering among policymakers from both parties to crack down on social media companies. Several major companies are being sued, investigated, and, soon, potentially regulated. That they may be harming kids' mental health is a key reason.
#Social #kids #senate #Tech
1 month ago
Republicans are swamping House and Senate races with an unprecedented flood of late ad spending as the party tests whether hundreds of millions of dollars can buy it some reprieve from the eroding political environment that’s threatening longtime Republican states and districts.
Since the start of September, Republicans have made more than $700 million worth of new advertising bookings in congressional races alone, according to an NBC News ******* ysis of data from AdImpact, a political ad-tracking firm. That’s new money on top of what had already been committed to those races in ad reservations made over the summer.
By comparison, Democrats booked more than $430 million in new ad reservations across those races last month.
The disparity is greatest in the battle for the Senate majority, where almost 7 of every 10 newly booked advertising dollars are coming from Republicans. That’s led by a massive, late investment in the Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is threatening a longtime Republican seat and the GOP has poured in almost $150 million in new ad dollars to back up its nominee, Ken Paxton.
The gap is smaller in the House, where a bit less than 6 in 10 of those new ad dollars are coming from the GOP.
#senate #dollars #House #republican
Since the start of September, Republicans have made more than $700 million worth of new advertising bookings in congressional races alone, according to an NBC News ******* ysis of data from AdImpact, a political ad-tracking firm. That’s new money on top of what had already been committed to those races in ad reservations made over the summer.
By comparison, Democrats booked more than $430 million in new ad reservations across those races last month.
The disparity is greatest in the battle for the Senate majority, where almost 7 of every 10 newly booked advertising dollars are coming from Republicans. That’s led by a massive, late investment in the Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is threatening a longtime Republican seat and the GOP has poured in almost $150 million in new ad dollars to back up its nominee, Ken Paxton.
The gap is smaller in the House, where a bit less than 6 in 10 of those new ad dollars are coming from the GOP.
#senate #dollars #House #republican
2 months ago
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr accused Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico of banking on public confusion over the equal time statute to drive clicks and donations.
Last week, Talarico appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," but the liberal late-night host insisted the interview had to air on YouTube, instead of broadcast television, because the FCC has "threatened" the network.
The White House previously said Kimmel was "play-acting," because the FCC did not threaten him regarding interviewing Talarico, or any other candidate.
Carr responded on Saturday to an account on X that complained Talarico was relegated to YouTube, but Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was allowed to appear on ESPN's "College Gameday." The chairman blasted Talarico, noting that the equal time statute doesn't apply to ESPN and does not prohibit anyone from interviewing anyone on broadcast TV.
Kimmel Reveals He's Interviewing James Talarico Under 'Unusual Circumstances,' Citing Fcc Threats
#kimmel
Last week, Talarico appeared on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," but the liberal late-night host insisted the interview had to air on YouTube, instead of broadcast television, because the FCC has "threatened" the network.
The White House previously said Kimmel was "play-acting," because the FCC did not threaten him regarding interviewing Talarico, or any other candidate.
Carr responded on Saturday to an account on X that complained Talarico was relegated to YouTube, but Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was allowed to appear on ESPN's "College Gameday." The chairman blasted Talarico, noting that the equal time statute doesn't apply to ESPN and does not prohibit anyone from interviewing anyone on broadcast TV.
Kimmel Reveals He's Interviewing James Talarico Under 'Unusual Circumstances,' Citing Fcc Threats
#kimmel
2 months ago
James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, once described parents who refused to acknowledge their children's gender identity as potentially engaging in "abusive" behavior.
"I think there are some folks that would think that if you deny your child's gender identity, that's incredibly harmful. And whether or not we label it with the term abuse, it's abusive for sure," Talarico said while speaking at a committee hearing in the Texas Legislature in 2019.
Talarico's resurfaced comments add to a growing pile of past remarks that cut against his efforts to paint himself as a moderate on issues like gender, policing and border security as he attempts to win over Texas, a historically Republican-leaning state.
Talarico Says He 'Missed The Mark' As He Backtracks On Controversial Woke Statements
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico speaks during a campaign rally at the Cailloux Theater on Aug. 31, 2026, in Kerrville, Texas. Talarico is in a close race against Republican Ken Paxton ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
#gender #democratic #senate #abusive
"I think there are some folks that would think that if you deny your child's gender identity, that's incredibly harmful. And whether or not we label it with the term abuse, it's abusive for sure," Talarico said while speaking at a committee hearing in the Texas Legislature in 2019.
Talarico's resurfaced comments add to a growing pile of past remarks that cut against his efforts to paint himself as a moderate on issues like gender, policing and border security as he attempts to win over Texas, a historically Republican-leaning state.
Talarico Says He 'Missed The Mark' As He Backtracks On Controversial Woke Statements
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico speaks during a campaign rally at the Cailloux Theater on Aug. 31, 2026, in Kerrville, Texas. Talarico is in a close race against Republican Ken Paxton ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
#gender #democratic #senate #abusive
2 months ago
Shouts of "he should be shot" could be heard multiple times Thursday night at the Republican midterm convention as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was criticizing prominent Democratic politicians by name.
Cruz mentioned three Democrats — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. After each name, there were shouts audible on the broadcast of "He should be shot!"
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It was unclear if Cruz heard the shouts, and representatives for the senator and the Republican National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
#senate #name
Cruz mentioned three Democrats — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. After each name, there were shouts audible on the broadcast of "He should be shot!"
unknown content item
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It was unclear if Cruz heard the shouts, and representatives for the senator and the Republican National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
#senate #name
2 months ago
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton compared his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico to a fight for America, speaking at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas.
#republican #james
#republican #james
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2 months ago
In a Fox News exclusive interview, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico came out in favor of banning gender surgery for minors and opposed transgender-identifying men competing in women's sports.
Talarico also backtracked on several of his more controversial claims, including saying there are six genders and that "God is nonbinary."
This comes as the Texas Senate race, which is surprisingly close according to recent Fox News polling, enters its final months. The race is considered critical to both parties' chances of securing a Senate majority. Talarico is facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who has faced controversies of his own. A Republican loss in Texas would significantly impact President Donald Trump's ability to implement his agenda.
Fox News spoke with Talarico at a food drive campaign event in Dallas on Tuesday. Talarico's event took place as the first-ever GOP midterm convention kicked off just miles away in downtown Dallas.
Talarico Campaigns With Surgeon Who Operated On Transgender Minors: 'Wolf In Sheep's Clothing'
#talarico #transgender #democratic
Talarico also backtracked on several of his more controversial claims, including saying there are six genders and that "God is nonbinary."
This comes as the Texas Senate race, which is surprisingly close according to recent Fox News polling, enters its final months. The race is considered critical to both parties' chances of securing a Senate majority. Talarico is facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who has faced controversies of his own. A Republican loss in Texas would significantly impact President Donald Trump's ability to implement his agenda.
Fox News spoke with Talarico at a food drive campaign event in Dallas on Tuesday. Talarico's event took place as the first-ever GOP midterm convention kicked off just miles away in downtown Dallas.
Talarico Campaigns With Surgeon Who Operated On Transgender Minors: 'Wolf In Sheep's Clothing'
#talarico #transgender #democratic
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2 months ago
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says he's confident Republicans will hold on to their majority in the Senate amid a competitive Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton.
#cruz
#cruz
3 months ago
Rainn Wilson is defending Texas Senate candidate James Talarico's Christianity — and taking aim at the Democrat's Republican critics in the process.
The former Office star, 60, said Talarico's brand of faith is "achingly close" to that of Jesus Christ, during the Thursday, August 20 episode of his podcast, Soul Boom, according to a report Fox News Digital published on August 23.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Wilson made the comments alongside New York Times journalist Ezra Klein, and the pair accused Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his supporters of hypocrisy for repeatedly attacking Talarico, 37, despite their own "aggressively professed Christianity," the outlet reported.
"Whenever I watch these attacks, I think, 'You all would have hated Jesus Christ,'" Klein, 42, said, as reported by Fox News Digital. "You would have found him to be the most annoying, weepy, worrying about the wrong people — the outsiders, the outcasts."
#christianity
The former Office star, 60, said Talarico's brand of faith is "achingly close" to that of Jesus Christ, during the Thursday, August 20 episode of his podcast, Soul Boom, according to a report Fox News Digital published on August 23.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Wilson made the comments alongside New York Times journalist Ezra Klein, and the pair accused Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his supporters of hypocrisy for repeatedly attacking Talarico, 37, despite their own "aggressively professed Christianity," the outlet reported.
"Whenever I watch these attacks, I think, 'You all would have hated Jesus Christ,'" Klein, 42, said, as reported by Fox News Digital. "You would have found him to be the most annoying, weepy, worrying about the wrong people — the outsiders, the outcasts."
#christianity
3 months ago
"The Office" star Rainn Wilson insisted Thursday that Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico was "achingly close" to Jesus' "brand of Christianity" compared to his conservative opponents.
On his "Soul Boom" podcast, Wilson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein called out what they believed was hypocrisy from Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his supporters repeatedly attacking Talarico despite their "aggressively professed Christianity."
"Whenever I watch these attacks, I think, 'You all would have hated Jesus Christ,'" Klein said. "You would have found him to be the most annoying, weepy, worrying about the wrong people — the outsiders, the outcasts…"
Bill Maher Blasts Democratic Party, Says It Is Fine With Religion 'As Long As That Faith Isn't Jewish'
Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico has been criticized for pushing progressive politics under a Christian banner.
#candidate
On his "Soul Boom" podcast, Wilson and New York Times journalist Ezra Klein called out what they believed was hypocrisy from Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton and his supporters repeatedly attacking Talarico despite their "aggressively professed Christianity."
"Whenever I watch these attacks, I think, 'You all would have hated Jesus Christ,'" Klein said. "You would have found him to be the most annoying, weepy, worrying about the wrong people — the outsiders, the outcasts…"
Bill Maher Blasts Democratic Party, Says It Is Fine With Religion 'As Long As That Faith Isn't Jewish'
Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico has been criticized for pushing progressive politics under a Christian banner.
#candidate
3 months ago
PLANO, Texas - Talking about Jesus is pretty routine for Texans running for office. But usually not Democrats.
State Rep. James Talarico is changing the script, leaning into his background in a progressive Presbyterian seminary.
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It's a playbook that has helped propel his political career. Before he was the Democrats' hope to flip a Republican Senate seat in Texas, the state lawmaker often invoked the Bible to justify progressive policy positions in the Texas Capitol. Past floor speeches and sermons on abortion, gender equity and religious pluralism helped give him the online platform that launched his Senate run.
He is now making his faith a central part of his Senate campaign, telling voters "it's time to start flipping tables" and take back faith from the religious right - a reference to the biblical story of Jesus flipping over tables in the Temple of Jerusalem to purge merchants profiting off a house of worship. Talarico boils down his core message to two commandments from the Bible: Love God and love your neighbor.
#love #progressive
State Rep. James Talarico is changing the script, leaning into his background in a progressive Presbyterian seminary.
Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.
It's a playbook that has helped propel his political career. Before he was the Democrats' hope to flip a Republican Senate seat in Texas, the state lawmaker often invoked the Bible to justify progressive policy positions in the Texas Capitol. Past floor speeches and sermons on abortion, gender equity and religious pluralism helped give him the online platform that launched his Senate run.
He is now making his faith a central part of his Senate campaign, telling voters "it's time to start flipping tables" and take back faith from the religious right - a reference to the biblical story of Jesus flipping over tables in the Temple of Jerusalem to purge merchants profiting off a house of worship. Talarico boils down his core message to two commandments from the Bible: Love God and love your neighbor.
#love #progressive
3 months ago
Texas state representative and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico's campaign responded after a resurfaced video of his comments on the Bible and education sparked outrage.
A clip resurfaced this week of Talarico, a Christian seminarian, speaking in a video hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund in 2025. In the clip, the host asked Talarico about his legislative battles with "Christian Nationalists," meaning people who consider America to be an inherently Christian nation.
The portion that went viral recently when Talarico blasted the "most insidious" legislation he fought to stop while serving in Texas government, claiming one bill required schools in the state to teach Bible stories as historical fact. He argued that this amounted to pushing "propaganda" on children and was not just bad for state schools, but for society overall.
"It was a new state curriculum that would teach Christian Bible stories as historical fact, as the only truth to our youngest students, and I mean kindergarten, first graders," he said. "These are kids who aren't able to think for themselves yet. They haven't formed their own worldviews."
Texas Dem Nominee James Talarico Invokes Faith To Defend Abortion Rights, 'The Bible Is Silent On Abortion'
#talarico #texas #james #abortion
A clip resurfaced this week of Talarico, a Christian seminarian, speaking in a video hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund in 2025. In the clip, the host asked Talarico about his legislative battles with "Christian Nationalists," meaning people who consider America to be an inherently Christian nation.
The portion that went viral recently when Talarico blasted the "most insidious" legislation he fought to stop while serving in Texas government, claiming one bill required schools in the state to teach Bible stories as historical fact. He argued that this amounted to pushing "propaganda" on children and was not just bad for state schools, but for society overall.
"It was a new state curriculum that would teach Christian Bible stories as historical fact, as the only truth to our youngest students, and I mean kindergarten, first graders," he said. "These are kids who aren't able to think for themselves yet. They haven't formed their own worldviews."
Texas Dem Nominee James Talarico Invokes Faith To Defend Abortion Rights, 'The Bible Is Silent On Abortion'
#talarico #texas #james #abortion
3 months ago
EXCLUSIVE: Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico bragged in a resurfaced interview that his church had stirred controversy by housing a family of illegal immigrants who were set to be deported by ICE, laughing as he said that "Christianity is just another word for causing trouble."
Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who serves as a Democratic state representative, is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Senate seat that is critical to both parties.
In a resurfaced clip of Talarico speaking on Texas Impact's "Weekly Witness" show in June 2023, he credited his faith for "why I am in politics." Asked how his faith influences his politics, Talarico pointed to examples of his church advancing progressive causes, saying, "Justice is just love out in public."
"Our church was really active in LGBTQ rights in the '90s. We caught some attention by letting an atheist join our church in the 2000s, and then in the 2010s, again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE," he said. "That was the tradition that I was brought up in. It's what led me to teach public school students on the west side of San Antonio, led me to run an education nonprofit and then led me to run for office."
Texas Dem Nominee James Talarico Invokes Faith To Defend Abortion Rights, 'The Bible Is Silent On Abortion'
#talarico #church
Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who serves as a Democratic state representative, is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Senate seat that is critical to both parties.
In a resurfaced clip of Talarico speaking on Texas Impact's "Weekly Witness" show in June 2023, he credited his faith for "why I am in politics." Asked how his faith influences his politics, Talarico pointed to examples of his church advancing progressive causes, saying, "Justice is just love out in public."
"Our church was really active in LGBTQ rights in the '90s. We caught some attention by letting an atheist join our church in the 2000s, and then in the 2010s, again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE," he said. "That was the tradition that I was brought up in. It's what led me to teach public school students on the west side of San Antonio, led me to run an education nonprofit and then led me to run for office."
Texas Dem Nominee James Talarico Invokes Faith To Defend Abortion Rights, 'The Bible Is Silent On Abortion'
#talarico #church
3 months ago
He's eating barbecue. He's winning over Joe Rogan. He's challenging his opponent to mano-a-mano televised faceoffs.
James Talarico is determined not to let his GOP challenger Ken Paxton's and Republicans' attacks on his masculinity define him in what has emerged as one of the party's loudest tactics in the crucial Senate race.
The Texas Democrat is working to position himself as a candidate focused on issues he says men actually care about instead of speculation about his diet, **** uality and religious beliefs.
"They've even called me a vegan, and those are fighting words in the state of Texas," Talarico said at a San Antonio rally this summer.
"Nowadays our culture tells young men that greatness is tearing other people down, is trolling and owning and dominating. But my dad showed me what real greatness looks like. He inspired me to serve," Talarico said at another rally in Houston, referencing how his dad often mowed the lawn of his elderly widowed neighbor without asking.
#texas #mano #greatness #james
James Talarico is determined not to let his GOP challenger Ken Paxton's and Republicans' attacks on his masculinity define him in what has emerged as one of the party's loudest tactics in the crucial Senate race.
The Texas Democrat is working to position himself as a candidate focused on issues he says men actually care about instead of speculation about his diet, **** uality and religious beliefs.
"They've even called me a vegan, and those are fighting words in the state of Texas," Talarico said at a San Antonio rally this summer.
"Nowadays our culture tells young men that greatness is tearing other people down, is trolling and owning and dominating. But my dad showed me what real greatness looks like. He inspired me to serve," Talarico said at another rally in Houston, referencing how his dad often mowed the lawn of his elderly widowed neighbor without asking.
#texas #mano #greatness #james
3 months ago
A high-profile election ***** yst said Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D) may give Democrats a real shot at finally winning a statewide race in Texas given the electoral weakness of his opponent, state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R).
"Since 1994, I've gotten call after call virtually every day from Texans in politics on the Democratic side, saying, 'This is the year. We're finally gonna do it,'" University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry Sabato said Thursday in an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett that referenced a Fox News poll showing Talarico with a 51 percent lead over Paxton's 48 percent.
"But you know what? I'm starting to believe it's actually possible this year," he added.
Sabato argued that while Talarico was a "great candidate," the real opportunity for a win hinged on Paxton's political liabilities. "Paxton is so awful," he said.
The political ***** yst pointed to a string of Paxton's legal troubles and scandals, including being impeached by the Texas House, facing 20 charges of misconduct in office, indictments on three felony securities fraud charges and an extramarital affair.
#texas #Politics #real #finally
"Since 1994, I've gotten call after call virtually every day from Texans in politics on the Democratic side, saying, 'This is the year. We're finally gonna do it,'" University of Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry Sabato said Thursday in an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett that referenced a Fox News poll showing Talarico with a 51 percent lead over Paxton's 48 percent.
"But you know what? I'm starting to believe it's actually possible this year," he added.
Sabato argued that while Talarico was a "great candidate," the real opportunity for a win hinged on Paxton's political liabilities. "Paxton is so awful," he said.
The political ***** yst pointed to a string of Paxton's legal troubles and scandals, including being impeached by the Texas House, facing 20 charges of misconduct in office, indictments on three felony securities fraud charges and an extramarital affair.
#texas #Politics #real #finally
4 months ago
It seems like a good bet Joe Rogan will not be voting for James Talarico (D).
The podcast star-turned-Texan said he does not want The Lone Star state to be controlled by Democrats on the Tuesday episode of his show.
"The liberals who want to turn Texas Blue, like, don'tttt," Rogan pleaded. "You're going to ruin it. You're going to ruin it for you, too."
He told guest his guest, Animal Planet star Forrest Galante, the liberals in Texas are "way less crazy" than those in Los Angeles or New York. But he said would still prefer Texas stay Red, and only have a few dashes of Blue mixed in.
"There's a saying about Austin: Keep Austin Weird and Surrounded,'" Rogan said.
#liberals
The podcast star-turned-Texan said he does not want The Lone Star state to be controlled by Democrats on the Tuesday episode of his show.
"The liberals who want to turn Texas Blue, like, don'tttt," Rogan pleaded. "You're going to ruin it. You're going to ruin it for you, too."
He told guest his guest, Animal Planet star Forrest Galante, the liberals in Texas are "way less crazy" than those in Los Angeles or New York. But he said would still prefer Texas stay Red, and only have a few dashes of Blue mixed in.
"There's a saying about Austin: Keep Austin Weird and Surrounded,'" Rogan said.
#liberals
4 months ago
Benny Melendez voted for President Donald Trump in 2024. But since Trump returned to the White House, it has been increasingly difficult for Melendez to run his small construction company in south Texas. He says immigration officers have detained workers at his job sites and while driving his company trucks. Since the beginning of 2025, more than 10 of those workers have been deported.
The chaos of the past year-and-a-half has convinced Melendez to abandon his support for Trump and Republicans, and instead back the Democrat in this year's U.S. Senate election, state Rep. James Talarico.
"How can we continue voting for someone that is targeting our community?" Melendez said. "There's no way possible we're going to support that. No way."
Melendez is not alone. One in five Hispanic business owners in Texas say they've had an employee deported in the past year, according to a new survey commissioned by the U.S. Hispanic Business Council and shared first with POLITICO. Seven in ten said their businesses had been impacted by Trump's tariffs. Among those surveyed, Talarico holds a seven-point lead over Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee, even though a plurality of the over 1,000 respondents self-identify as Republican. Almost one quarter who supported Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary now say they'll back Talarico, while over half say they'll back Paxton.
The survey is the clearest sign yet of Paxton's vulnerability among Texas' robust Hispanic business community amidst broader signs that Hispanic voters around the country are swinging hard against him, thanks to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and the shaky economy. The survey was conducted from June 2 to 15 and included 1,012 Texas-based USHBC members. Respondents included business owners in construction, food services, retail, manufacturing and other industries.
The chaos of the past year-and-a-half has convinced Melendez to abandon his support for Trump and Republicans, and instead back the Democrat in this year's U.S. Senate election, state Rep. James Talarico.
"How can we continue voting for someone that is targeting our community?" Melendez said. "There's no way possible we're going to support that. No way."
Melendez is not alone. One in five Hispanic business owners in Texas say they've had an employee deported in the past year, according to a new survey commissioned by the U.S. Hispanic Business Council and shared first with POLITICO. Seven in ten said their businesses had been impacted by Trump's tariffs. Among those surveyed, Talarico holds a seven-point lead over Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee, even though a plurality of the over 1,000 respondents self-identify as Republican. Almost one quarter who supported Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary now say they'll back Talarico, while over half say they'll back Paxton.
The survey is the clearest sign yet of Paxton's vulnerability among Texas' robust Hispanic business community amidst broader signs that Hispanic voters around the country are swinging hard against him, thanks to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and the shaky economy. The survey was conducted from June 2 to 15 and included 1,012 Texas-based USHBC members. Respondents included business owners in construction, food services, retail, manufacturing and other industries.
4 months ago
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said her Democratic Senate primary race was "a racist race" in an interview published Wednesday and argued she didn't need to campaign with her former opponent and the party's nominee, James Talarico.
Crockett said at the Essence Festival alongside the hosts of the "Native Land" podcast that the best thing she could do for former primary foe Talarico was to endorse Black candidates down ballot so more Black voters turn out in November.
"The best thing that I can do is take down-ballot candidates who no one's ever heard of and do my best to uplift them and increase the voter participation in a way that we did in Texas," she said.
"You see, a lot of haters got a lot of things to say about me and my race and how I ran it," Crockett continued. "But the reality is that there was a lot of racist, not a lot, it was racist. It was a racist race. It is what it is, right? But we live in America as y'all are celebrating 250. OK? We know what this country is. But let me tell you the facts. There is no race that turned out more people to vote ever in the state of Texas except for Barack [Obama] and Hillary [Clinton]."
Watch: Obama, Harris Advisor Warns 'Betrayed' Black Voters Could Be Texas Senate Candidate's Kryptonite
Crockett said at the Essence Festival alongside the hosts of the "Native Land" podcast that the best thing she could do for former primary foe Talarico was to endorse Black candidates down ballot so more Black voters turn out in November.
"The best thing that I can do is take down-ballot candidates who no one's ever heard of and do my best to uplift them and increase the voter participation in a way that we did in Texas," she said.
"You see, a lot of haters got a lot of things to say about me and my race and how I ran it," Crockett continued. "But the reality is that there was a lot of racist, not a lot, it was racist. It was a racist race. It is what it is, right? But we live in America as y'all are celebrating 250. OK? We know what this country is. But let me tell you the facts. There is no race that turned out more people to vote ever in the state of Texas except for Barack [Obama] and Hillary [Clinton]."
Watch: Obama, Harris Advisor Warns 'Betrayed' Black Voters Could Be Texas Senate Candidate's Kryptonite
5 months ago
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A lawyer who represented Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for nearly a decade over accusations of corruption and securities fraud is supporting Democrat James Talarico — and not his former client — in one of the biggest U.S. Senate races.
Talarico on Monday drew attention to his campaign winning the endorsement of Houston attorney Dan Cogdell, who was part of Paxton's defense team during the Republican's historic impeachment trial in 2023 that ended in acquittal.
The legal troubles that shadowed Paxton in public office in Texas are a central attack line of Talarico's campaign, though in his endorsement, Cogdell didn't cite concerns about his client's past.
Cogdell said he didn't dislike Paxton as a person and felt that Texas lawmakers were right to eventually acquit the attorney general. But as a politician, Cogdell said, Paxton is too focused on appeasing President Donald Trump.
"I worked my **** off for the man for nine years," Cogdell said in an interview with The **** ociated Press. "But that's a different inquiry. My obligation to Ken ended at the courthouse steps and my obligation as a citizen is to do what I think is the right thing."
Talarico on Monday drew attention to his campaign winning the endorsement of Houston attorney Dan Cogdell, who was part of Paxton's defense team during the Republican's historic impeachment trial in 2023 that ended in acquittal.
The legal troubles that shadowed Paxton in public office in Texas are a central attack line of Talarico's campaign, though in his endorsement, Cogdell didn't cite concerns about his client's past.
Cogdell said he didn't dislike Paxton as a person and felt that Texas lawmakers were right to eventually acquit the attorney general. But as a politician, Cogdell said, Paxton is too focused on appeasing President Donald Trump.
"I worked my **** off for the man for nine years," Cogdell said in an interview with The **** ociated Press. "But that's a different inquiry. My obligation to Ken ended at the courthouse steps and my obligation as a citizen is to do what I think is the right thing."
5 months ago
Former Vice President Pence said Sunday that his party has “lost our way,” but also went after Democrats by saying they “have lost their minds.”
During an interview on “Meet the Press,” NBC News’s Kristen Welker pressed Pence on who he would support in the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Texas, as the controversial Republican nominee, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is set to face off against the Democratic nominee, Texas state Rep. James Talarico.
While Pence did not directly confirm whether he would vote for Paxton if he could, he did say that he has confidence in Republicans in Texas. He also said he could “never” vote for Talarico if he could vote in Texas.
“Look, I — I think, in many respects, Republicans have lost our way,” Pence said in the interview. “But, Democrats have lost their mind. And I think the reason why we’re going to hold the Senate — and we have a real shot to hold the House — is because of the extremism on the Democratic side.”
“I mean, you literally have candidates, not just the mayor of New York, but some of the most prominent voices in the party that are openly advocating for socialist policies and socialism itself.”
During an interview on “Meet the Press,” NBC News’s Kristen Welker pressed Pence on who he would support in the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Texas, as the controversial Republican nominee, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is set to face off against the Democratic nominee, Texas state Rep. James Talarico.
While Pence did not directly confirm whether he would vote for Paxton if he could, he did say that he has confidence in Republicans in Texas. He also said he could “never” vote for Talarico if he could vote in Texas.
“Look, I — I think, in many respects, Republicans have lost our way,” Pence said in the interview. “But, Democrats have lost their mind. And I think the reason why we’re going to hold the Senate — and we have a real shot to hold the House — is because of the extremism on the Democratic side.”
“I mean, you literally have candidates, not just the mayor of New York, but some of the most prominent voices in the party that are openly advocating for socialist policies and socialism itself.”
