James Talarico’s Plano Rally Targets Paxton, Courts GOP Voters

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

PLANO — James Talarico linked Texans’ struggles with rising living costs to wealthy donors’ influence in politics Sunday, using a Plano rally to appeal to Democrats, independents and Republicans willing to vote against Attorney General Ken Paxton.

“I want to be a senator for every Texan who can’t afford one,” Talarico said.

The Oct. 18 event launched the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee’s “Clear Eyes Full Hearts” tour. Drawing on Texas high school football and the television series Friday Night Lights, Talarico urged supporters to spend the final 16 days before the Nov. 3 election knocking on doors, making calls and turning out voters.

Costs and campaign promises

Talarico described Texans he said he had met while campaigning: a grandmother facing eviction, a family disturbed by a nearby data center and a restaurant owner struggling to keep prices within customers’ reach.

“We have an affordability crisis because we have a corruption crisis,” he said.

He blamed tariffs, war and healthcare policy decisions for increasing costs, arguing that elected officials were protecting wealthy interests while families struggled to afford necessities.

Talarico called for banning corporate political action committees and super PACs, prohibiting congressional stock trading, ending partisan gerrymandering nationwide and establishing congressional term limits. Those proposals would require action beyond his authority as an individual senator.

He also cited his legislative work on property taxes, housing and insulin costs.

“This election is about whether you want a senator who puts money in your pocket or who puts money in their own,” he said.

Paxton’s campaign has offered a competing affordability message. A recent advertisement highlighted his lawsuits against local governments seeking property tax increases, pharmaceutical companies and technology companies, presenting his record as evidence of challenging powerful interests. Republican allies have also argued that Talarico’s moderate campaign message conflicts with his legislative record, The Texas Tribune reported. Those arguments preceded Sunday’s rally.

Republican support

Talarico repeatedly criticized Paxton’s conduct and cited the Republican-led Texas House’s 2023 vote to impeach him over allegations involving abuse of office and benefits to a donor.

The impeachment did not result in removal. The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16 articles it considered in September 2023 and dismissed four others.

Talarico praised Republican lawmakers who supported impeachment, saying some lost their seats after facing well-funded opposition. He urged Republican voters to put the state ahead of party loyalty.

Former Republican congressman Alan Steelman made a similar appeal.

“Who we vote for represents more about us than it does about the candidate,” Steelman said.

He acknowledged that supporting a Democrat could be difficult for some Republicans but encouraged them to consider Talarico’s character and values. Steelman argued that Talarico’s approach reflected qualities he admired in earlier Republican leaders, including Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.

Plesa urges turnout

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, who represents House District 70, described her own election as evidence that candidates can build support beyond their party.

“The people that showed up to help me get elected weren’t just Democrats,” she said, describing a coalition of Republicans, independents and people who did not regularly vote.

Plesa criticized partisan redistricting and urged attendees to bring others to the polls during early voting. She asked audience members to commit to getting 10 people to vote.

“We have to outwork them,” Plesa said.

Hunt emphasizes freedom

Democratic congressional nominee Evan Hunt opened the event by emphasizing freedom of speech, religion and personal identity.

“What makes America great is not uniformity or conformity or a loyalty to a wannabe king,” he said.

The challenger to Republican Rep. Keith Self accused politicians of serving wealthy interests and fueling culture wars instead of representing ordinary Americans.

“America was never made great by pushing people down and pushing people out,” Hunt said, arguing instead for “lifting people up and welcoming people in.”

“This is not about party. This is about the American soul,” he said.

A final push

Talarico returned to football and biblical imagery as he closed, comparing his campaign to an underdog team and to David confronting Goliath.

He described teachers, nurses, farmers, ranchers and struggling families as the people he wanted to represent. Volunteers and voters, he argued, could overcome the financial power of his opponents.

“They may have the money, but we have the majority,” he said.

Talarico asked supporters to translate their enthusiasm into work before Election Day.

“This is the moment we leave it all on the field,” he said.