James Talarico Seeks Black Voter Support in Texas Senate Race

After his primary win, Talarico toured Texas to court Black voters, speaking at Paul Quinn College, visiting Prairie View A&M, meeting activist Opal Lee and pastor Freddie Haynes, and stopping at an Austin taco shop with former President Barack Obama. He also met Black leaders in Dallas, Houston and Austin, including Councilman Junior Ezeonu and Rep. Christian Manuel.

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Jasmine Crockett won the Democratic primary with a strong Black-voter advantage, sweeping all ten counties with the highest Black populations and leading Jefferson County by nearly 60 points. The result highlighted that no Democrat has won a statewide Texas office since 1994, underscoring the challenge Talarico faces in turning Black support into a general-election win.

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Talarico told CNN he is proud of coalition-building and wants to earn the trust of Black voters he says have been taken for granted by party. Crockett’s spokesperson Karrol Rimal warned that underestimating Republican Ken Paxton would be “foolish,” emphasizing a long road to November and need to energize base, especially voters of color. Former Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke said winning Black voters is the decisive factor for Talarico’s campaign.

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Former House candidate Colin Allred alleged Talarico called him a “mediocre Black man,” a claim Talarico called a mischaracterization. A pro-Talarico super PAC aired ads questioning Crockett’s electability; Crockett called the line of attack racist. Some Black leaders, including Junior Ezeonu, warned outreach must be grounded in concrete policy proposals rather than identity alone.

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Sources disagree on whether Talarico actually used the phrase “mediocre Black man” to describe Allred, with Talarico denying the remark. The campaign also provides no quantitative projections of Black voter turnout for November.

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Leaders have shifted support. Harris County commissioner Rodney Ellis endorsed Talarico, urging unity. In East Texas, Black county commissioner Sandy McCorvey introduced Talarico as someone who “understands this community matters.” State Rep. Christian Manuel said Talarico is “doing everything that he can do.” Texas Organizing Project director Brianna Brown emphasized a path to victory that does not center White swing voters.

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“That was then, this is now,” “There’s too much at stake to be petty.” — Rodney Ellis, Harris County commissioner and former state senator

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“I’m proud of the work we’ve been doing all across Texas to bring our coalition together — because our state deserves a Senator that will deliver for Black Texans,” — James Talarico, Senate candidate

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“She has more star power than anyone I can think of in Texas, apart from James Talarico,” — Beto O’Rourke, former Senate candidate

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“We just can’t assume that Black voters will turn out en masse because Trump is in office because we’re mad at Trump,” — Junior Ezeonu, Grand Prairie City Councilman

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