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Obama Urges Vote as Texas Runoff Heats Up

5/13/2026

36 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Barack Obama, former President, met James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at a taco shop in Austin on May 12, 2026.
Obama urged attendees to vote without endorsing anyone.
Senator John Cornyn posted on X that he hopes James Talarico brings Obama and Bernie Sanders to campaign.
Talarico will meet Ken Paxton or John Cornyn in a May 26 Republican runoff while Hinojosa seeks to unseat Greg Abbott, whose campaign has $96 million.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994 Republican Revolution—when Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America helped the GOP win a 54-seat House swing and end 42 years of Democratic control—Texas politics shifted toward massive fundraising. By May 2026, Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton were directing $96 million, prompting Senator John Cornyn to urge former President Barack Obama to meet Representative James Talarico.

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Story summary

Barack Obama, former President, met James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at a taco shop in Austin on May 12, 2026.
Obama urged attendees to vote without endorsing anyone.
Senator John Cornyn posted on X that he hopes James Talarico brings Obama and Bernie Sanders to campaign.
Talarico will meet Ken Paxton or John Cornyn in a May 26 Republican runoff while Hinojosa seeks to unseat Greg Abbott, whose campaign has $96 million.

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