James Talarico

Where Talarico stands

Grouped by topic by Vote Book; headings and quoted words are the candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” items are a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote.

Immigration & border

Immigration: How would you modernize our immigration system?

Both parties have failed us on the issue of immigration, and it’s time to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform. We must hire more border patrol agents to stop illegal crossings, modernize ports of entry to detect threats before they enter the country, hire more asylum judges to process cases quickly, and focus ICE resources on deporting criminals instead of community members.

Health care

Healthcare: What specific steps would you take to make healthcare more affordable for American families?

In the legislature, I capped insulin at $25 and imported cheaper drugs into the US. As Senator, I’ll ensure every American can access a public healthcare option, cap copays for more prescription drugs, protect reproductive care, save rural hospitals, and break up the healthcare monopolies driving up prices. I’ll protect Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act and fully fund the VA.

Education

But we will not be conquered.

We’re underdogs in this fight. We’re going up against these billionaire mega-donors and their puppet politicians. We’re going up against a rigged system. And we’re going up against a lot of money. But I’m a former middle school teacher — I don’t scare easily. And Texans don’t scare easily.

Taxes & spending

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about fighting corruption and lowering costs. I am proposing a cost-of-living tax cut that will expand the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, restore the ACA Tax Credits, and provide a tariff rebate to Americans who have been paying too much for everything. I’ll pay for it by closing tax loopholes and making the wealthiest Americans and giant corporations pay their fair share. I’ll continue lowering costs by cutting red tape so we can build more homes and get new energy projects off the ground — lowering housing and utility prices. I’ve already delivered major …

Jobs, wages & cost of living

Economy: What policies would you support to reduce income inequality and expand economic opportunity?

We need a government that serves working people instead of giant corporations by: closing tax loopholes that billionaires and corporations exploit, raising the corporate tax, raising the tax on corporate stock buybacks, passing a cost-of-living tax cut, and incentivizing raising wages by creating a tax on corporations that pay their top executives more than 250 times their median worker’s salary.

Foreign policy

That’s because the most powerful people in the world want it that way.

The biggest divide in this country is not left vs. right. It’s top vs. bottom. Billionaires want us looking left and right at each other instead of looking up at them. The people at the top work so hard to keep us angry and divided because our unity is a threat to their wealth and power. So their cable news networks and their social media algorithms tear us apart.

Elections, ethics & government

Balance of Power: What specific actions would you take to protect the Constitution's system of checks and balances?

I will prioritize legislation to cap campaign contributions at every level of government, ban dark money groups and super PACs, and ban partisan gerrymandering so that every American has an equal say in our politics and our policymaking. I will outlaw Congressional stock trading and impose term limits on Supreme Court Justices and Members of Congress — and hold them to high ethical standards.

Voting Rights: What voting rights legislation would you support to ensure voters’ ability to participate in our democratic processes?

In the Legislature, I broke quorum twice to fight back against gerrymandering and defend the freedom to vote. In the Senate, I will cap campaign contributions, ban dark money groups and super PACs, and ban partisan gerrymandering so that every American has an equal say in our politics and our policymaking. We must also pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect our right to vote.

Technology & AI

Artificial Intelligence: Would you regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI)? If so, how?

We need to ensure that technological advances in AI aren’t outpacing legal protections. I support reasonable regulations that ensure we protect workers, consumers, and our elections. Our top priority must be to make sure these tools are safe, people are put first, and the data centers that power them are decided on our terms – not on those of the companies or the billionaires.

Background & priorities

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability: The real fight in this country isn’t Left vs Right; it’s Top vs Bottom. Right now, the rich are getting richer, and the rest of us are struggling to get by. I am proposing a cost-of-living tax cut that will expand the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, restore the ACA Tax Credits, and provide a tariff rebate to Americans who have been paying too much for everything. I’ll pay for it by closing tax loopholes and making the wealthiest Americans and giant corporations pay their fair share. I’ll continue lowering costs by cutting red tape so we can build more homes and …

Qualifications: What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?

I’m a former middle school teacher, Presbyterian seminarian, and Texas State Representative. I’ve passed bipartisan bills to lower the cost of prescription drugs, child care, and housing.