From 'The Conversation': James Talarico on immigration, his faith, and how Democrats are getting it wrong

Sep 28, 2025

James Talarico, a Texas state representative and U.S. Senate candidate, discusses his journey from education to politics, driven by his deep faith. He emphasizes the urgent need for political reform, criticizing Democrats for defending a broken system instead of transforming it. Talarico also touches on immigration, urging a nuanced approach that balances security and hospitality, while advocating for earning Latino trust. Megan Messerly, a Politico reporter, joins to explore how social media shapes political discourse and the importance of free speech in today's media landscape.

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INSIGHT

Hope Trumps Fear In Mobilizing Voters

Voters crave hope after years of fear, hatred, and division in politics.
James Talarico argues offering optimistic, forward-looking politics explains his rising support.

ADVICE

Respond Forcefully Without Becoming The Bully

Do fight back against cheating political tactics but avoid becoming the bully you oppose.
James Talarico says counteraction should be forceful like water fighting fire, not adopting the bully's methods.

INSIGHT

Transformation Over Mere Preservation

Defending institutions alone won't win for people left behind by the system.
Talarico frames Democrats' mission as transforming broken institutions rather than merely preserving them.

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James Talarico is a Texas state representative who’s recently announced his candidacy for US Senate. He’s a Democrat, but not afraid to criticize some aspects of his party.

“National Democrats have talked about defending democracy or protecting institutions,” he said. “But, this democracy of ours doesn't work for a lot of people in this country. It doesn't work for a lot of people in Texas…. This is a deeply broken political system. And I'm not interested in defending it.”

Talarico joined POLITICO’s Dasha Burns this week for an episode of The Conversation, in a wide-ranging conversation about his candidacy, his faith and what Democrats can learn from Beyoncé.

Talarico caught national attention when he flipped a state House district outside Austin in 2018, and has grown in prominence on social media, where he boasts millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram. The former school teacher who’s studying to be a pastor is joining a crowded race to try to turn a Senate seat blue in Texas.

His faith has been one of the central aspects of his campaign. “My faith is why I went into public service. My granddad was a Baptist preacher in South Texas [and he] told me that Jesus gave us these two commandments to love God and love neighbor, which means that your faith is inherently public, right?,” he said. “That means that your faith should impact how you treat people out in the world. And really politics is just another word for how we treat our neighbors at the most fundamental level.”

When it comes to immigration, a Texas issue in the national spotlight, Talarico offered a metaphor to explain his approach. “People have a desire for a sane immigration system, a secure border that can ensure public safety and can ensure that the people coming here are coming to contribute to our communities and not threaten our communities,” he said. “We should treat our southern border like our front porch. We should have a giant welcome mat out front, and we should have the lock on the door.”