James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for a US Senate seat in Texas on Tuesday, capping a remarkable rise from state lawmaker and seminary student to the party’s standard-bearer in one of the key races of the 2026 midterm cycle.

With his blend of faith-based populism, bipartisan appeal and generational energy, Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a firebrand beloved by the party’s base but who struggled to dispel concerns that she could defeat a Republican in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide in more than 30 years.

A jubilant Talarico told supporters in Austin before the race was called: “We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.”

  • Pacattack57@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    15 hours ago

    Honest question but why would taking casino money be a problem. Unless you’re a religious nut with a gambling addiction it’s not really a bad thing. Lots of jobs associated with casinos that will explode the local economy.

    • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      3 hours ago

      I’m religious, but that’s not why I have an issue with gambling. To quote people I mildly disagree with on a different issue, I believe that gambling should be “safe, legal, and rare”. I’m anti prohibition of most vices, but I think gambling has an atrocious social risk profile, and since its only benefits seem to have been taking some of white people’s money back to native tribes, it should have been left for reservations.

      That said, I’m hopeful for Talirico

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      14 hours ago

      why would taking casino money be a problem

      Cause the casino was Miriam Adelson’s, and she’s one of Trump’s biggest backers.

      • Formfiller@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        13 hours ago

        That’s really bad. Any Israel connection is going to drive his chances way down. Especially if that ghoul Addleson is involved