As Texas heads toward November’s U.S. Senate election, Democratic nominee James Talarico has spent much of his campaign appearing before Black audiences across the state through community conversations, church visits, HBCU events, policy announcements and interviews with Black-owned media.

The outreach comes as Democrats seek to build support among one of the party’s most reliable voting blocs while challenging Republican nominee Ken Paxton. Public polling from the Texas Politics Project suggests Talarico has gained notable support among Black voters early in the general election campaign, with 67% of Black voters surveyed backing his candidacy, a higher share than previous Democratic Senate nominees recorded at similar stages of their campaigns.

The following is a look at Talarico’s public engagement with Black communities throughout the campaign this spring and summer thus far.

March: Community meetings begin across Texas

Talarico’s outreach included direct engagement with Black clergy, elected officials and community advocates early in the campaign.

On March 15, he visited Mt. Zion Baptist Church before participating in a Black Leaders Brunch in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on March 20. The campaign described the gathering as an opportunity to hear concerns from Black civic leaders and discuss priorities ahead of the general election.

Around the same time, Talarico also organized volunteer efforts in Sand Branch, a historically Black community in Dallas County that has long struggled without reliable running water. Campaign volunteers delivered bottled water to residents during the Democratic primary.

April: Faith communities and HBCUs become campaign stops

April featured a series of appearances centered on faith and higher education.

Talarico visited Wesley United Methodist Church on April 5 before meeting with Black leaders in Houston on April 14 and Austin on April 23.

He also traveled to Prairie View A&M University, where he participated in a moderated discussion with students, answered audience questions and met privately with university President Dr. Tomikia P. LeGrande.

The campaign also noted meetings with nationally recognized civil rights figures, including Dr. Opal Lee, often called the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” and attendance at the homegoing service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the invitation of Jackson’s family.

May: Paul Quinn commencement and Dallas County Convention

One of Talarico’s most visible appearances in the Black community came May 2 when he delivered the commencement address at Paul Quinn College in Dallas.

Addressing graduates, Talarico spoke about faith, service and civic responsibility while praising Paul Quinn President Dr. Michael Sorrell’s leadership and the college’s historic mission. Following the ceremony, he met with graduates and spoke one-on-one with Sorrell.

Later, Talarico served as keynote speaker at the Dallas County Democratic Convention, where he also met with Pastor Freddie Haynes, who is seeking the congressional seat previously held by Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

Summer outreach expands through conversations and local organizing

As the campaign entered the summer months, Talarico continued holding smaller community discussions across North Texas.

He participated in a Southern Dallas Community Conversation at Luby’s, where Black pastors, educators, activists and community leaders gathered for a discussion on issues facing Texas communities.

In DeSoto, Talarico joined a block walk supporting Dallas County Clerk candidate Damarcus Offord. The two candidates publicly endorsed one another while encouraging voter turnout ahead of November.

Black media becomes a key campaign platform

Alongside in-person events, Talarico has increasingly appeared in Black-owned media outlets throughout Texas and nationally.

His interviews have included conversations with Dallas Weekly, iMessenger, 93.7 The Beat in Houston, Roland Martin, TheGrio, The Tashara Parker Show, Jerri P. Beasley and Ron Jackson’s Jackson Political Report.

In an exclusive with TheGrio, Talarico unveiled a maternal mortality policy proposal focused on improving maternal healthcare, an issue that disproportionately affects Black women in Texas.

Coverage by Houston Forward Times highlighted the campaign’s efforts to begin engaging Black audiences months before early voting, while opinion writers and commentators have pointed to the campaign’s emphasis on face-to-face conversations rather than traditional campaign appearances.

Community organizations and public endorsements

Talarico has also received endorsements from organizations with longstanding voter engagement efforts in Black communities, including the Texas Organizing Project and Omega Network for Action, Inc.

Several Black elected officials and community leaders have publicly backed his campaign, including Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Dallas County Clerk candidate Damarcus Offord and State Rep. Christian Manuel, who has said the campaign has responded to requests for additional outreach in communities of color.

Looking ahead

Talarico’s campaign is scheduled to continue its outreach efforts with a public rally at Disciple Central Community Church, 901 N Polk St Suite 101, DeSoto, TX 75115, on Monday, July 20, where supporters and local leaders are expected to gather as Democrats intensify organizing efforts heading into the final months before the November election. Interested? Register here.

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