Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, told CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe that his campaign centers on affordability and anti‑corruption, and that he believes Texas voters are ready to reject extremism and corruption.
Talarico said both U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton “have sold us out for their donors,” and that his campaign is about taking on “the billionaire mega‑donors” and the corrupt political system. “The real fight in this country is not left versus right,” he said. “It’s top versus bottom.” He described his approach as economic first—uniting working people across divisions to challenge concentrated wealth and restore government that works for everyday Texans.
On pocketbook issues, Talarico pointed to his experience in the Texas Legislature, where he has worked in a Republican‑dominated body to pass bills aimed at lowering housing, child care and prescription drug costs. He said those fights showed he can produce results and that he wants to take similar fights to the U.S. Senate. Talarico spoke from personal experience: as a state legislator he makes $7,200 a year and described the stress of rising prices, citing housing, food, child care—now more expensive than college in Texas—and prescription drugs, including insulin. He is a type 1 diabetic and said rising drug costs have personal impact.
Talarico argued that the cost‑of‑living crisis is linked to a corruption crisis. His anti‑corruption package would include getting big money out of politics, banning corporate PACs, banning members of Congress from trading stocks while in office and banning gerrymandering so voters, not politicians, choose representatives. He said these reforms could help restore competitive elections and make government responsive to working people again.
When asked about his primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Talarico emphasized they are “on the same team” and share the goal of changing Texas politics, but said his record flipping a Trump‑leaning state House seat and winning tough races gives him an edge in demonstrating the ability to win the general election. “I’ve done this,” he said, describing his experience building a big‑tent coalition in red areas and winning in a county that hadn’t voted for a Democrat for president for decades.
Talarico addressed national security questions as well. On recent events involving Iran, he said the Constitution is clear that Congress must declare war and that any administration should make its case to Congress and the American people. He rejected “forever wars,” warning of the cost in lives, money and moral standing, and said presidents should justify military actions before Congress.
Asked what it means to be a Democrat, Talarico said the party should fight for working people and return to its working‑class roots—New Deal, Great Society, Affordable Care Act—emphasizing practical results rather than ideological purity. He said he would work with anyone “who wants to join us in taking power back from the billionaires,” stressing a pragmatic, inclusive stance.
Talarico acknowledged Texas is historically Republican, but said he’s found a bipartisan backlash against extremism and corruption by traveling the state, from big cities to small towns. He told stories of voters who privately say they aren’t typical partisans but are disaffected by current politics. He argued that Texans are “friendly, hardworking, faithful” and that the state’s elected leaders should reflect the people’s decency.
On the political matchup, he said he would welcome the opportunity to prosecute the case against either Cornyn or Paxton in the general election and stressed the broader fight is against the moneyed interests that shape policy. He concluded by noting Texans’ virtues and, more lightheartedly, their food—“it’s also got the best food,” he said.