James Talarico Yard Sign Shortage Hits Collin County Democrats

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — Demand for James Talarico campaign signs has left the Collin County Democratic Party struggling to keep them in stock, with residents facing delays and waiting lists.

By September 30, the party had distributed more than 360 signs for Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate challenging Republican Ken Paxton, with approximately 50 people still waiting.

The shortage drew attention after a resident complained on social media about repeatedly contacting party headquarters without being able to obtain a sign.

“We get people stopping in, calls, social media messages, and emails every single day from people looking for the signs,” Democratic Party Chair Jeremy Sutka told TX3DNews.

Sutka attributed the delays to high demand and printing backlogs but confirmed that a new shipment has since arrived.

Demand Compared to Previous Campaigns

Sutka said the demand rivals some of the biggest Democratic campaigns he has seen in Collin County.

“The demand has been higher than any other candidate I can remember outside of the initial demand following Kamala Harris / Tim Walz ticket being announced,” he said.

He also pointed to Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 Senate campaign, but said the difference this time has been how long the requests have continued.

“The only comparables are Beto O’Rourke in 2018 and the initial surge from Harris/Walz, but this has been sustained over the past 4 months as a constant request/need,” Sutka said.

The demand follows Talarico’s June 1 rally at the Plano Event Center, which drew an estimated 3,600 to 4,000 people.

As for the shortages, Sutka said the campaign supplies the signs directly, but high demand and printing delays have made deliveries difficult. He said he had heard that signs printed in Austin were being distributed locally before they could reach Collin County.

At the time of Sutka’s initial response, the party was preparing to pick up another 500 signs from the campaign.

Other Democrats Also Waiting on Signs

The shortages haven’t been limited to the Senate race.

“We have ordered 250 Gina Hinojosa signs and are waiting for those to ship,” Sutka said.

Hinojosa is the Democratic nominee challenging Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Sutka said signs for Clayton Tucker, the Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner, and state Rep. Mihaela Plesa, who is seeking reelection, have also been difficult to keep in stock.

“We also have had a hard time keeping Clayton Tucker signs in the office, as well as Mihaela Plesa, for a local candidate,” he said.

The party has collected suggested donations when residents receive signs and has split that money with the candidates, according to Sutka.

What Campaign Signs Can — and Cannot — Show

Sutka said Democratic volunteers have noticed a difference in the number of campaign signs while canvassing neighborhoods.

“The number of yard signs we have seen when block walking has been close to 10 to 1 for Talarico vs. Paxton,” he said.

That estimate has not been independently verified and reflects only the areas canvassed by Democratic volunteers. Sign availability and distribution efforts can also affect how many appear in neighborhoods.

Republicans have previously cautioned against interpreting campaign enthusiasm as evidence of changing voter preferences.

Following Talarico’s June rally in Plano, state Rep. Keresa Richardson, R-McKinney, told TX3DNews, “Enthusiasm at a single event doesn’t translate into a shift in Collin County values.”

“The biggest mistake anyone can make is assuming that because a county is growing and diversifying, it must be moving away from conservative principles,” Richardson said at the time.

Her comments addressed the June rally, not the current demand for campaign signs.

Election Results Offer Another Perspective

The two campaigns Sutka cited drew considerable attention but ultimately lost in Texas.

In 2018, Republican Ted Cruz carried Collin County with 52.65% of the vote against O’Rourke’s 46.53%. In 2024, Donald Trump won the county with approximately 54% against Harris’ 43%.

The Collin County Democratic Party said Talarico signs are now available at its headquarters, 6829 K Avenue, Suite 111, in Plano. The volunteer-staffed office is typically open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hours can be confirmed by calling 972-578-1483.

TX3DNews also sought comment from Collin County Republican Party Chairman Byron Henry, Executive Director Terry Wade and other local Republican contacts about demand for Paxton signs. No responses had been received as of publication.