Democrats are sounding the alarm about their Texas Senate nominee, James Talarico. The Daily Signal reports that party insiders worry he lacks the Black voter support needed to flip the state.
Ashley Etienne, a former communications director for former Vice President Kamala Harris, spoke on Sunday about the situation. Kristen Welker was told by her that Texas, her home state, offers two causes for great encouragement. Yet she quickly noted a major hurdle ahead for the party.
Etienne explained the math required to win statewide in Texas as a Democrat. According to her, Democrats can only carry Texas if they significantly exceed expectations among Black voters. Her concerns stem from recent meetings with local officials in Houston. These operatives report only mild enthusiasm among Black voters right now. They also note that Talarico promised to spend $25 million on outreach efforts over a month ago. That money has yet to start flowing into the community.
The lack of cash is not the only issue facing the candidate. Etienne pointed out that Elon Musk plans to spend nearly $200 million on these races. With Texas as a huge target for that funding, the Democrats face a steep climb. She highlighted a specific statistic: 34% of Black men voted for Donald Trump.
Etienne warned that waiting until Labor Day to campaign with Black voters means “you’re playing to lose.” This warning follows similar comments from Jasmine Crockett, the former Texas representative who lost the primary.
Crockett fell short to Talarico in the March 3, 2026, Senate primary with 52.4% of the vote to her 46.2%. Despite losing, she remains a voice for many in the party. On Friday’s episode of the “Front Page” podcast, she shared her honest take on the mood. She stated that, personally, she does not perceive excitement currently within the black community. Crockett said. She noted that she does not plan to campaign for him despite endorsing him after the primary.
Talarico has tried to fix this gap since his primary win. He announced a $25 million get-out-the-vote effort targeting Black voters in July. Following a July 20 town hall in Houston where he endured tense questioning from Black voters, he made this move. The primary results show a clear divide in the state. Crockett beat Talarico in counties with large Black populations, including those with Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston.
The Daily Signal notes that the party’s concerns center on turnout numbers. Talarico must build a coalition to win statewide in a traditionally Republican state. The gap between the candidate’s promises and the current reality is wide. With funding delays and low reported excitement, the path to victory looks difficult. The party now waits to see if the $25 million investment can change the mood before election day.
