James Talarico Puts His Faith in Texas Voters⁠↗

Talarico, still hot, suggested, “Let’s just say, ‘This is why everyone hates the Democratic Party.’ ”

In one analysis of social-media engagement among Democratic officials, Talarico trailed only Kamala Harris and Barack Obama.

“I wouldn’t even use the word ‘Democrat.’ I’d just say, ‘I’m a Texan who can beat Ken Paxton!’ ”

He tends to ignore urgent beeps—from his glucose monitor, his gas gauge, his alarm clock—because he dislikes being rushed. His staff often has to yank him out of his ranch house in Austin to get on the road.

None of the Republican representatives I contacted would talk with me, perhaps fearing Governor Abbott’s retribution, but three who had recently left the legislature spoke highly of Talarico. Ernest Bailes said, “Legislators on the extreme right may not like what James stands for, but they surely respect him.”

Miming holding out his phone, he said, “Seeing this beautiful sunset inspires me to make a fund-raising video.” He tried a few other takes, riffing, “I’m here at the fucking gas station”; “I hope you’ll support this dumpster fire of a campaign”—being the unruly kid on the bus.

Talarico disagreed. “If you put your faith in a politician, that’s just asking for disappointment.” If he wins, he intends to serve two terms at most. “Power, fame, wealth—they’re like radiation,” he said. “You should wear a hazmat suit, as if you’re going into Chernobyl. You go in, you do your job, and you get out as quickly as you can and go shower.”