In Fort Worth on Wednesday, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico used a CNN‑hosted town hall to court independent and moderate voters ahead of the November election. After a brief bout with the flu, Talarico addressed a mixed audience of roughly 20 Texas Democrats, 20 independents and 20 Republicans, fielding questions on abortion, energy, immigration and government spending.
Policy focus and anti‑corruption message
Talarico opened by linking an “affordability crisis” to a “corruption crisis,” a theme he has repeated throughout his campaign. He called for sweeping reforms such as congressional term limits, a ban on super PACs, an end to gerrymandering and prohibitions on congressional stock trading – measures he says should apply to both parties.
On immigration, Talarico criticized the Biden administration’s border policies and warned of “extremism” under the current administration. He opposed abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, describing the agency as a “secret police force,” but advocated for more border patrol agents, enhanced surveillance technology and additional legal pathways for “hardworking immigrants who want to come here and contribute to our economy.”
Regarding energy, he promoted an “all‑of‑the‑above” approach, supporting renewable investments while defending Texas’s oil and gas sector. He described the current economic system as “crony capitalism” that taxes work more than wealth, and said he is a capitalist seeking to correct that imbalance.
Polling and campaign dynamics
A Marist University poll released the same day showed Talarico leading the race, an unusual result in a traditionally red state. The poll also indicated that 8% of Republican voters expressed support for him.
Republican Senate leadership and President Donald Trump have poured significant funds into Texas to bolster incumbent Ken Paxton and attack Talarico, a point the candidate highlighted during the forum.
Republican response
Republican critics, including Chris Gustafson of the Senate GOP‑aligned Senate Leadership Fund, argued that Talarico’s record aligns with a “far‑left” agenda that threatens Texas working families. Democratic strategist Paul Begala, speaking on CNN’s post‑town hall panel, described the event as a “heat‑seeking missile” aimed at Republican voters who support John Cornyn but dislike Paxton.
Ken Paxton, who declined the CNN invitation, has previously refused debate requests from multiple networks, including Fox News. In a recent television ad, Paxton touted his record of suing city governments over property‑tax increases and taking on pharmaceutical companies and Big Tech, positioning himself as a defender of taxpayers.
Closing remarks
Talarico concluded by contrasting his anti‑corruption platform with Paxton’s alleged personal wealth and legal controversies, urging voters to choose a senator who puts money in their pockets rather than in a politician’s own bank account.
With early voting set to begin in four days, the town hall underscored the intense competition for moderate and undecided voters in a race that could shape Texas’s representation in the U.S. Senate.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
