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A Democrat who fights back and gets things done.
Texas Republicans are trying to gerrymander me out
of the House for being the most effective
progressive at the Texas Capitol.
Together, we reformed the school finance system, capped insulin copays, banned reality TV policing, improved early childhood education, funded mental health care in schools, limited pre-k class sizes, and gave incarcerated minors a chance to earn a high school diploma. For these achievements, I was named one of the 10 Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine
As the youngest member of the Texas Legislature, I’m not afraid to stand up to Republican extremism. I led the fight against their racist social studies bill and their hateful anti-trans bill. I led my fellow Democrats in breaking quorum to protest their voter suppression bill. And I went on Fox News to tell the truth about Trump’s Big Lie to millions of viewers.
Texas Republicans are attempting to silence opponents like me by using racist gerrymandering to divide our community. If they think they can keep me out of the House, they better think again.
I was born in Round Rock to a single mother, and grew up in North Austin where I attended Wells Branch Elementary School, graduated from McNeil High School, and worshiped at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
I’m grateful to everyone who's urged me to move back home to Texas House District 50—where I grew up—to run for the seat being vacated by my friend, Celia Israel. The community that raised me deserves a Representative that is battle-tested and knows how to win.
Together, we can put people over politics and move Texas Forward.
- James Talarico
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Javier
Ambler
Act
After the killing of Javier Ambler, we partnered with criminal justice advocates and Javier’s family to pass the Javier Ambler Act––banning police departments from contracting with reality TV programs.
Historic
Early Childhood
Legislation
HB 2607 requires every early childhood provider that receives public funding to join Texas Rising Star—our state’s early childhood quality improvement program. Our bill will ensure low-income kids in Texas receive a high-quality early childhood education.
Pre-K
Class Size
Limits
Our office passed HB 41 to limit the size of pre-k classes in Texas to 22 students. Effective pre-k programs significantly improve academic, economic, and health outcomes for kids. This bipartisan bill ensures that our kids have a more enriching prekindergarten experience.
Educating
Incarcerated
Minors
Before we passed HB 30, there were 350 minors in Texas who were certified as adults and put into standard prisons without the option to earn a diploma. Passing unanimously out of the Texas House, our bill requires the State to give each of these kids the chance to earn their high school diploma while in prison.
Millions of
State Dollars for
Social-emotional
Learning
Every educator I meet tells me that students are struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma like never before. We passed HB 332 which opened up millions of dollars for social-emotional learning programs that help kids manage emotions, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Bold
Progressive
Legislation
This session I was proud to file progressive legislation like a 70K teacher salary, The Texas Climate Action Act, and a bill to legalize marijuana to fund early childhood education. While these bills were not given a committee hearing this session, we built public support for bold change and I am looking forward to filing similar bills next session!
Historic
School Finance
Reform
As a sitting member of the House Public Education Committee, I helped pass House Bill 3. This legislation opened up billions of dollars in funding for our teachers and schools, provided
much-needed property tax relief, and is the most significant school finance reform our state has seen in decades.
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST REPUBLICAN EXTREMISM
IN THE NEWS
PUTTING PEOPLE OVER POLITICS
ISSUES
ENDORSEMENTS
TEXAS LEADERS
Beto O’Rourke, Wendy Davis, Joaquin Castro,
MJ Hegar, Lina Hidalgo, Steve Adler, Lloyd Doggett, Margaret Gómez, Amanda Edwards, Mark Strama, Mike Collier, Chris Hollins, Donna Howard,
Erin Zwiener, Vikki Goodwin, Christian Menefee,
Chris Turner, John Bucy, Rafael Anchía, Chito Vela,
Hilda Montgomery, Kim Gilby
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
Planned Parenthood Votes, University Democrats, Capital Area Progressive Democrats, AFSCME Local 1624, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), LIUNA Local 1095, Southwest Laborers District Council (SWLDC), Sierra Club, Austin Environmental Democrats, Black Austin Democrats, Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND, Liberal Austin Democrats, Texas College Democrats, Pflugerville Area Democrats, NorthEast Travis County Democrats, Stonewall Democrats of Austin, Texas State Employees Union (TSEU), Austin Tejano Democrats