As Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico campaigns across Texas touting his commitment to affordability, his legislative record tells a different story.
Talarico has made multiple campaign stops across the state, speaking with residents about lowering costs for everyday Texans. During campaign events, he has argued that “all of us are struggling to afford basics.”
“I’m talking about groceries. I’m talking about gas. I’m talking about insurance, and utilities, and housing, and childcare, and prescription drugs. So, how we win is focusing on the things actually impacting Texans,” Talarico said during a Dallas campaign event.
“I think if we do that, and if we bring people together around some commonsense solutions to lower our costs, to raise our pay, to get this economy back on track, I think we’re going to be successful in November.”
Talarico’s campaign has centered on affordability. His proposals include raising the federal minimum wage, allowing all Americans to enroll in Medicare, lowering housing costs, and providing property tax breaks for childcare providers, school district homestead exemptions, and tax relief for elderly and disabled homeowners.
However, Talarico’s campaign platform contrasts with his voting record in the Texas Legislature, where he opposed several tax-cutting measures and property tax proposals.
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During the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019, Talarico voted against Senate Bill 2, which required voter approval before local governments could increase property taxes by more than 3.5%. The legislation also limited school district tax revenue growth to 2.5%.
That same session, Talarico also voted against House Joint Resolution 38, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting a future state personal income tax. The measure passed the Texas House, 100-42, and the Senate before being approved by voters with more than 74% support.
Talarico also opposed House Joint Resolution 2 during the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025. The measure proposed a constitutional amendment permanently banning estate, inheritance, and gift taxes, commonly referred to as “death taxes.” The resolution passed the House, 112-19, and the Senate before Texas voters ratified it with roughly 72% support.
Polling has shown broad support among Texas voters for additional limitations.
According to a Pulse Decision Science survey conducted for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, three-fourths of Texas voters support allowing citizens to initiate referendums requiring local governments to lower taxes, while 80% support limiting property tax revenue growth.
In another instance, Talarico criticized the federal Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, calling it “deeply immoral.”
“I don’t know any Texan—Republican or Democrat, conservative or progressive—who supports that deeply immoral legislation, and I think the lawmakers who did vote for it need to pay a price at the ballot box,” Talarico said.
Despite his view on President Donald Trump’s legislation, the United States Senate Committee on Finance revealed it actually resulted in a $7,500 to $10,700 increase in take-home pay for Texas residents, as well as a family child tax credit that increased to $2,200. In addition, the legislation also saved 547,000 Texas jobs and increased real wages by $3,900 to $6,900.
A spokesperson for Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign said Talarico’s affordability message is “laughable.”
“Texans won’t be so easily convinced that he stands with them when he has opposed every tax-cutting measure that would have put money back in their pockets,” said the spokesperson. “The only reason he claims to care now is because he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing who will do and say anything to get elected.”
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
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