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James Talarico
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Antonioaesparza (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Democratic · Texas

James Talarico

U.S. Senator-elect from Texas; Texas state representative

Won

James Talarico is the Democratic U.S. Senator-elect from Texas. On Nov. 3, 2026 he defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, 55.1% to 43.0% (AP data via NBC News, 99% in), flipping a seat Texas Democrats had not won since 1988.

2026 race

U.S. Senate, Texas

  • Talarico55.1%
  • Paxton43.0%

Result Won Won (flip): Talarico 55.1%, Paxton 43.0%

Source: nbcnews.com

Biography

Talarico, 37, is a former middle school English teacher and Presbyterian seminarian from Round Rock who has served in the Texas House since 2018. He beat U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary. After the win he said his victory told Elon Musk, who spent more than $150 million to boost Paxton, that "Texas is not for sale."

Positions

  • Get big money out of politics (CBS Mornings interview, Nov. 4, 2026)

Record

  • Texas House of Representatives since 2018
  • Former middle school English teacher
  • Won 2026 Democratic Senate primary over Rep. Jasmine Crockett

Life & background

Things you might not know, from public records.

  • Born in Round Rock, Texas, he was a middle school English teacher before entering politics. [Source]
  • He studied for a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. [Source]

Coverage

Updated