At the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi, state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, addressed a room full of Black Democrats, acknowledging the party’s “troubling history of taking Black voters for granted.” Talarico committed to working with the members of the Black caucus to show up for, invest in, and fight for the votes of every Black Texan.

Building Support

Talarico’s quest to coalesce Black Democrats behind his candidacy is ongoing, despite his primary win against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, one of the state’s most prominent Black politicians. Crockett has since endorsed Talarico but has cast doubt on whether Black voters have unified behind him.

Black elected officials and local activists at the convention expressed concerns that the party has taken Black voters for granted and that Talarico’s campaign needs to do more to engage and mobilize Black Democrats across the state. State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, said, “A lot of Black Texans are angry. They feel disenfranchised, and they feel that the party has taken them and their votes for granted. So I am worried that folks will sit out, folks won’t vote.”

Talarico has visited Black churches and universities, met with local Black leaders, and outlined a policy plan to combat maternal mortality, which disproportionately affects Black women. He has also received endorsements from influential Black Democrats who backed Crockett in the primary.

State Sen. Royce West of Dallas, one of the state’s longest-tenured Black officials, said he was heartened by Talarico’s efforts to connect with Black communities but noted that the candidate’s plan for Black outreach had yet to fully manifest. “We’re still writing the story,” West said. “We’re not there yet. But I can tell you, I’m pleased by the steps that I’ve seen thus far.”

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.