Texas AFT COPE endorses James Talarico for U.S. Senate

On March 3rd, we put big money and the billionaires who are trying to buy Texas on notice, with thrilling wins by Gina Hinojosa and other labor-backed candidates. And now, Texas AFT is excited to announce our endorsement of James Talarico to the U.S. Senate.

James Talarico won his primary election last Tuesday - an election that saw the highest primary turnout in recent memory. The billionaire special interests know that when we elect candidates like Talarico, whose movement is built on people power and not big money, we win. This victory is a testament to the fact that Texans want change. The days of dividing working Texans are over.

James Talarico started his career teaching middle school on San Antonio's west side. We know there is no tougher, but vitally important job than being a public school teacher, and it was that experience that drove him to fight for students and educators. In 2018, he won a tightly contested election for Texas State House District 52 in Williamson County. Since being elected, James Talarico has worked tirelessly against the voucher scam and has been one of our leading allies in the fight to fully fund our public schools.

We endorse James Talarico because he fought Gov. Abbott's billionaire cronies at the state level and we trust he will continue the fight against the billionaire class that has taken control of our federal government. In November, Talarico will either face Ken Paxton or incumbent John Cornyn, both with long and terrible anti-labor and anti-public education histories that are starting to catch up with them; Talarico is leading or in a statistical tie with both in the most recent polling. When Talarico wins the general election, we'll have a compassionate fighter and former educator representing us, and that is why we're throwing our full weight behind him.