{"id":217343,"date":"2025-09-11T05:04:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T05:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/217343\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T05:04:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T05:04:15","slug":"rising-democratic-star-james-talarico-returns-to-san-antonio-where-he-got-his-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/217343\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising Democratic star James Talarico returns to San Antonio \u2014 where he got his start"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before state Rep. James Talarico (D-Round Rock) was a seminarian, a social media star, or the next great hope for a long-suffering Texas Democratic Party<\/a>, the 36-year-old U.S. Senate candidate was a sixth grade teacher in San Antonio.<\/p>\n

Talarico taught at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School on the West Side in 2011 \u2014 right after the Texas Legislature cut $5.4 billion<\/a> from public education to address a budget shortfall.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had 45 kids in one classroom and there weren\u2019t enough desks for all those students,\u201d Talarico recalled at a 2024 campaign event<\/a> for San Antonio state House candidate Laurel Jordan Swift. \u201cIn the richest country in human history, in one of the richest states, I had kids sitting on the air conditioning. That got me mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

The experience was so impactful that Talarico finished out his time in Teach for America, went to work for an education nonprofit, and then ran for a state House seat in 2018.<\/p>\n

Now a major contender for his party\u2019s U.S Senate nomination, Talarico returned to San Antonio on Wednesday a few hundred thousand social media followers richer \u2014 and with a loyal support base eager to see him take on candidates with more money and experience.<\/p>\n

Backyard on Broadway was packed with supporters young and old, phones stretched into the air to record his every word.<\/p>\n

A New York Times reporter took notes from the balcony where Talarico\u2019s team was filming, meanwhile the Bexar County Party Chair could be heard remarking to passersby about the stunning turnout.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason I\u2019m here in San Antonio the day after I launched my campaign for U.S. Senate<\/a> is because this city means so much to me,\u201d Talarico told the audience on a sweaty summer evening.<\/p>\n

\"\"State Reps. James Talarico, Gina Hinojosa, Diego Bernal and Steve Allison listen to Laurel Jordan Swift during a campaign event for Swift\u2019s HD121 race in October of 2024. Credit: Brenda Baz\u00e1n \/ San Antonio Report<\/p>\n

In the years he\u2019s been away, Talarico has become a force in the Texas House \u2014 enough to scare Republicans who dubbed him a threat worth snuffing out<\/a> just a year into the job.<\/p>\n

Now in his fourth term, he\u2019s still one of the House\u2019s youngest members, but gaining fuel as Democrats\u2019 spokesman throughout the brutal school voucher fight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s one of the most prepared legislators I\u2019ve ever worked with,\u201d said state Rep. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), who was in the audience Wednesday night and plans to support Talarico in the crowded Democratic Senate primary. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s almost obnoxious in a way because he really is as good a person as he comes off,\u201d Bernal said. \u201cBut he\u2019s also really, really smart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"State Rep. James Talarico answers questions from community members at a Town Hall with Bexar County Commissioner for Precinct 4 Tommy Calvert, former San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro and Beto O\u2019Rourke at Stable Hall on June 27. Credit: Brenda Baz\u00e1n \/ San Antonio Report<\/p>\n

To many supporters, however, Wednesday night captured another side of Talarico. One they say embodies what makes him different from other politicians.<\/p>\n

The event came just hours after conservative youth activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed<\/a> at a college rally in Utah, and Talarico said he nearly canceled it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI disagreed with Charlie Kirk on nearly every political issue, but he was a child of God. He was our sibling. Our brother. A human being endowed with infinite worth and entitled to unconditional love,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, he decided that postponing the event would be giving in to the goal of political violence, at a time when people need to be together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something broken in this country,\u201d he said to applause. \u201cIt\u2019s been more than ten years of this kind of politics. Politics as a bloodsport. Politics as total war. It tears families apart and ends friendships. It makes us all feel terrible all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Texas state Rep. James Talarico kicked off his campaign for U.S. Senate with a rally at Backyard on Broadway in San Antonio on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. Credit: Amber Esparza \/ San Antonio Report<\/p>\n

That willingness to embrace faith in a way other Democrats find squeamish, and his commitment to civility in an increasingly volatile national political landscape, is what brought 27-year-old Jacob Rodriguez out to Wednesday\u2019s event.<\/p>\n

After following him on social media for several years, Rodriguez showed up early to see the candidate in person. <\/p>\n

\u201cJames is very faith based, and I think he\u2019s able to easily connect with both sides,\u201d he said. \u201cI think people are ready for change here \u2026 and to just have that mutual respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

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