Texas state Rep. James Talarico has surpassed all fundraising goals, bringing in $6.2 million in just three weeks after launching his Senate campaign. He has set the record for the most money raised by any Texas Senate candidate in the early weeks for both parties. James Talarico, a 36-year-old Democrat from Austin, is significantly changing the race. He is currently leading former congressman Colin Allred, who reported raising $4.1 million during the same period.
Grassroots Movement Gains National Momentum
Talarico’s campaign reports that over 125,000 individuals from every state contributed. Most donations were valued at $100 or less. He was a middle school teacher and studied to become a Presbyterian minister. He has pledged not to accept money from PACs of big companies, setting his campaign apart. He aims to gain support from regular people instead of relying on the usual financing methods used by politicians.
“We’re underdogs in this fight against billionaire mega-donors and their puppet politicians, but more than one hundred thousand people have answered the call to build a new kind of politics,” Talarico stated. “This is truly a campaign of, by, and for the people.”
This record amount is a significant achievement for a state lawmaker, who, due to Texas laws prohibiting fundraising during that session, was unable to raise funds in the early part of 2025.
Allred Faces Uphill Battle Despite Experience
Colin Allred lost to Sen. Ted Cruz by more than eight percentage points in 2024, despite raising nearly $100 million. Now, he encounters new challenges as he must rebuild his entire political team from scratch. The former Dallas congressman secured $4.1 million in the third quarter of the year. This came from over 100,000 individual donors, with an average contribution of $32. His campaign also stated that it did not accept funds from corporate PACs.
“Colin’s campaign is powered by working people, not special interests,” said Dan Morrocco, Allred’s campaign manager. “This is a grassroots movement with real staying power.”
Allred mentioned he had only $55,000 remaining at the end of June, meaning he will need to restart his fundraising efforts for his Senate campaign.
Rising Star Builds National Profile
The eighth-generation Texan has begun to gain national attention, partly due to his online interactions with Republicans in the Texas House. He has also appeared on shows like The Joe Rogan Experience. Talarico presents a political image that combines progressive ideas with Christian values. However, polling indicates that 42 percent of Texas Democrats are unfamiliar with him.
Republican Primary Battle Intensifies
Currently, the Republican primary is a competitive race. Sen. John Cornyn, who is in office, is running against Attorney General Ken Paxton. Polls suggest the race is tight and could go either way. President Trump’s backing could ultimately determine the winner for both sides. Many Democrats are hoping Paxton wins, as it could make the general election more difficult for Republicans and better for them.
The Democratic candidate will face significant challenges in a state that Trump won by almost 14 points in 2024. This means effective fundraising and collaboration with others are crucial for any Senate campaign.