Obama stumps for Texas Senate nominee James Talarico
Former President Barack Obama campaigned publicly in Austin on Tuesday with Democratic texas Senate nominee James Talarico, stopping at a taco shop to encourage voters and tout Talarico and the party’s slate for state offices. Obama noted Talarico as an “outstanding” candidate and urged Texans to vote.
The appearance also underscored the timing: it came about two weeks before the texas runoff election that will shape Talarico’s general election matchup. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn will face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26, and the cornyn-Paxton race is expected to be among the most closely watched and expensive midterm-year contests. Obama’s support for Talarico has been public, but he did not endorse him during the primary when Talarico competed against Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Simultaneously occurring, President Donald Trump has not endorsed anyone in the Cornyn-Paxton runoff despite repeated hints.Early voting begins May 18,so any endorsement would need to arrive soon after to influence the largest share of voters before the May 26 election.
Former President Barack Obama publicly stumped with Democratic Texas Senate nominee James Talarico in Austin on Tuesday.
The duo stopped in a taco shop together, along with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, near the University of Texas at Austin to surprise voters.
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“Do you know our outstanding next governor and senator?” Obama asked the patrons.
Obama has publicly supported Talarico’s candidacy, calling him a “terrific, a really talented young man” in an October 2025 podcast appearance. But the former president withheld an endorsement of the state representative during the primary as he faced off against Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) for the Democratic nomination.
Tuesday marked the pair’s first public appearance together and came just two weeks ahead of the state’s runoff election, which will determine Talarico’s general election opponent. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) will go head-to-head against state Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26 for a spot on the general election ballot.
The Texas Senate general election is expected to be one of the most-watched and expensive midterm-year races in the country, with the primary race hitting the priciest primary mark in February, according to AdImpact.
“Remember to vote!” Obama called out to the Texans at the restaurant, called Taco Joint.
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President Donald Trump has yet to endorse in the Cornyn-Paxton runoff, though he has teased an impending decision on multiple occasions. A backing from Trump would have weight in a state the president has carried all three times he has run for office.
Early voting in the runoff starts on Monday, May 18, so a Trump endorsement would have to come in the next week to sway the maximum number of voters before they head for the ballot boxes. The runoff is set for Tuesday, May 26.
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