James Talarico The Interview: Fighting to Flip Tables + Take Texas, Christianity & the Country Back

James Talarico discusses his political journey, fight against corruption, and vision to flip Texas and restore hope in US politics on the Jamie Kern Lima Show.

Key Takeaways

James Talarico represents a new wave of politics focused on unity and practical solutions across party lines.
His campaign is notable for rejecting corporate money and relying on grassroots support.
Christian nationalism is critiqued as a dangerous conflation of religion and power.
Economic inequality and political corruption are central issues in his platform.
Talarico’s story and message resonate widely, inspiring hope for political change.

What the video covers

James Talarico, a four-term Texas state representative and former teacher, is a rising star in US politics known for bipartisan work.
He is currently running a high-profile US Senate campaign focused on fighting corruption and Christian nationalism.
Talarico emphasizes the divide in politics as top versus bottom, highlighting economic struggles faced by everyday Americans.
He rejects corporate PAC money and has raised record-breaking grassroots campaign funds.
The interview explores his personal background, faith, and motivations behind his political activism.
Talarico addresses controversial topics including crime, political corruption, and the influence of billionaires.
The discussion includes comparisons to iconic political figures like JFK and Barack Obama, inspiring hope and change.
Jamie Kern Lima fosters an inclusive conversation aiming to heal divisions through understanding and love.
Talarico shares his vision of flipping Texas and reigniting hope for the future of the country.
The episode blends political insight with personal stories to connect with a broad audience.

Chapters

Who is James Talarico and what is his political background?

James Talarico is a four-term Texas state representative and former middle school teacher known for bipartisan efforts and currently running for US Senate.

What is James Talarico’s stance on corporate PAC money?

Talarico rejects corporate PAC money, relying instead on grassroots fundraising, making him unique among US Senate candidates.

How does James Talarico define Christian nationalism?

He defines Christian nationalism as the worship of power in the name of Christ, which he criticizes as harmful and divisive.

Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

Speaker A

This is the worldwide premiere of James Talarico on the Jamie Kern Lima Show. [music] You're not going to believe this, but I've never heard you share that before. I've never heard you talk about this, and that's [music] a big thing to say. James Talarico is arguably the hottest rising star in US politics right [music] now.

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Do you need to run for president? We need someone who's actually a good person.

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[laughter] James Talarico out of Texas. Oh, that guy's good. Right? He's terrific. Really talented.

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A new poll has James Talarico leading. A little bit of hope is a dangerous thing.

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[cheering] The eighth [music] generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and Presbyterian seminarian is a four-term Texas state rep [music] described by many as a workhorse, not a showhorse, after passing several bills [music] in his state by bringing together both Democrats and Republicans alike. Whether you're a little more progressive or a little more conservative, whether you like Democrats or like Republicans, we're all getting screwed.

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None of us can afford our housing, none of us can afford child care, none of us can afford our prescription [music] drugs, none of us can afford to put our kids through college.

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The only minority destroying America is the billionaires. [cheering] The biggest divide in our politics is not left versus right, it's top versus bottom.

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His current US Senate campaign has catapulted him into the national spotlight and sparked national debate [music] and outrage over his fight against Christian nationalism.

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I would define Christian nationalism as the worship of power in the name of Christ.

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Their candidate is whacked out. The insult to [music] Jesus, I mean, such an insult. He's actually, I think, he's grossly incompetent.

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James Talarico. Talarico. The President of the United States just said that I insulted Jesus.

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You want to know what insults Jesus? Kicking the sick off their health care while cutting taxes for billionaires.

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You know what insults Jesus? Covering up the Epstein files and [music] then refusing to prosecute a single one of them.

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His vow to end corruption [music] in politics. You have made a lot of money personally, and you've enriched a lot of corporations with advertising by getting on here and spewing lies and conspiracy theories to folks who trust you.

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And exactly why has national media appearances seemed to be causing so much commotion? It's not the first time you've caused some drama. [music] FCC opening probe into The View after appearance by Talarico. Do you mean to cause trouble?

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I do. I do. [laughter] I think that Donald Trump is worried that we're about to flip [music] Texas.

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[cheering] Causing many to draw comparisons [music] between Talarico and some of the most inspiring icons in our country's history. Influencers doing side-by-side photos of you and JFK.

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You've been drawing some pretty large crowds. You had a large crowd here. Some people talking about when they hear you speak it reminds [music] them of Obama in the 2004 DNC where they just felt hope ignited again. When you hear

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these types of [music] comparisons, what do you think? And today, for the first time ever, he's opening up like never before. This is the Jamie Kern Lima Show after all. So get ready to get to know the man behind

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the movement where no questions [music] are off limits. I'm shocked to hear you say that. I think a lot of people will be surprised.

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Yeah. That you just said where I ask all [music] the questions you wrote in and want to know. He talks so much about your niece loving your, your niece Baby Jane. And I've seen your girlfriend playing with your niece

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[music] and you know how much you love kids. Do you want kids one day?

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What is your plan to reduce crime? Ken Paxton's crimes are well known. I would say that John Cornyn is even more corrupt than Ken Paxton.

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You've been rushing it with fundraising. You've raised more than any US Senate candidate in US history [music] Q1 of this year.

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Yeah. And you're the only candidate not taking corporate PAC money. That's right. Is that sustainable long term? I have to ask you the question. Will you one day run for president?

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This is fascinating. Yeah. [laughter] Were you born with that fight in you? Yeah. Yeah.

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2,000 [music] years ago when the powerful few at the top hurt those at the bottom, that barefoot rabbi didn't stay in his room and pray.

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He walked into the seat of power and flipped over the tables of injustice. To those who love this country, to those who love our neighbors, it's time to start flipping tables.

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[music] So today, if you're ready to leave feeling inspired, if you're ready to ignite hope inside of you for the future of our country, even if it's for the first time or for the first time in a long time, this conversation is for you.

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[music] I am so grateful for love and loyalty to this show, and there's something I want to quickly share personally with you from me to you. I have had Republicans, Democrats, and Independents on this show ranging from Michelle Obama in a special

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three-part interview to actor Kelsey Grammer sharing his support of President Trump. The intention of the show is to be a force for good and a force for love. I have guests on that might vote differently, love differently, or pray

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differently from you and me because I believe to heal humanity through love, we must first understand the humans who make it up. I am so happy you are here, and no matter how you vote, you love, or you pray, you belong here.

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And I have to say, I'm excited to share today's conversation with you. In fact, it is easily one of my favorite conversations in the history of the show.

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And really quick, if you could take two seconds and hit the subscribe button on the app you're listening or watching on.

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That way you'll be the very first to get inspirational episodes. Plus, you can get weekly inspiration into your inbox from me for free. Just join my newsletter at jamiekernlima.com.

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And thank you so much for sharing this episode with every single person that you might know who needs inspiration or hope today because we are all in this life together.

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Welcome to the Jamie Kern Lima Show. Oprah, how have you defied the odds? Her show is unlike any I've ever done.

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A revelation. [music] When you listen, it feels like a hug. First Lady Michelle Obama.

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Jamie, you are going so deep. I have never had this in-depth [music] conversation. I've actually never said that out loud to anybody in an interview before. You know how to get [music] there.

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[laughter] Your brain and your spirit and your heart is like, "Wow." Melinda French Gates.

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When I look into Jamie's eyes, I feel like I [music] am on some other cosmic level with her.

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Meghan, Duchess [music] of Sussex. I wasn't expecting that one. I could see the light around her. She's infused with light.

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Maria Shriver. I never made [music] that mistake again. Imagine overcoming self-doubt, learning to believe in yourself, and trust yourself, and know you are enough.

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Welcome to the Jamie Kern Lima Show. Jamie Kern Lima's her name. Everybody needs Jamie Kern Lima in their life.

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Jamie Kern Lima. Jamie, you're so inspiring. [music] Jamie Kern Lima. James Talarico, welcome to the Jamie Kern Lima Show.

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Thank you for having me. I'm really honored to be here. James, you are in the middle of one of the highest-profile US Senate races in our country's history. You went from a middle school teacher to a four-term

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Texas state rep, and so many of your stances on issues have gone viral, right? They're resonating with people of every party across the country, across the world. So, you've turned these powerful movements into what are now becoming sort of movements powered by

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people all across the country. Why are you and your message resonating in such a huge way?

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I feel like people across the political spectrum are really hungry for a different kind of politics. We've had a politics over the last 10 years that makes us feel angry, makes us feel afraid, but

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people all across the country. Why are you and your message resonating in such a huge way?

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I feel like people across the political spectrum are really hungry for a different kind of politics. Uh we've had a politics over the last 10 years that makes us feel angry, makes us feel uh afraid, um but we haven't had a politics that makes

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us feel hopeful, uh that makes us makes us feel excited about the future, and I do feel like that's the kind of politics we're building in Texas in this campaign, and I just I feel so lucky to be a part of it. Um

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it really is a lot bigger than me at this point. Uh we have 40,000 people who have signed up to volunteer for our campaign, people who are knocking doors and making phone calls and sending texts and postcards. Um,

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and it it really is just a it's so exciting to see what's happening on the ground in Texas. And the um, the way this campaign is making people feel hopeful about the future. Um, not just in our state, but across the country.

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And so I feel a lot of responsibility cuz there's a lot riding on all this.

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Um, a lot of people in our state who desperately need um, a senator who's going to work for them and who's going to make their lives easier and better and less stressful.

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Um, but I think if we do what we need to do, we're going to pull this off and we're going to shock everyone um, by winning this seat in Texas in November.

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It's wild. I have friends all across the country that are Republicans, that are Democrats, and it's almost like it doesn't matter. They're all excited about your campaign and talking about it, even outside of Texas. But I have friends inside of Texas who are hardcore

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Republicans who are planning to vote for you. So, do you think that's because of your messaging of of people are tired of maybe feeling like they're divided?

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I do. I do. And and I hear that from people at our events all over the state.

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You know, I've I've done rallies and town halls now um, in every corner of Texas from Beaumont to El Paso, from Amarillo up in the Panhandle all the way down to Brownsville in the Rio Grande Valley.

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And and everywhere we do events, you know, I stay till the very end. I shake every hand. I take every selfie. I answer every question. And so I get to hear from people one-on-one. Um, and no matter where I go in the state, I

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have people who come up to me and whisper, "I'm not a Democrat." Like they're in the witness protection program or something.

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Yeah. And and and a lot of people who say this is the first campaign they've ever gotten involved with. Um, or the first time they've ever they've ever showed up at a political event, a political rally, or a

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town hall. Um and so I do feel like we are building a coalition that is bigger than the Democratic Party, it's bigger than the Republican Party, it's um it includes a lot of people who are participating for the first time, and

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who desperately want to see a a better politics, and who want to see a senator who's actually going to fight for them and their families.

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You know, you have a a really great life before this campaign, a four-term uh state rep, you know, you can go hang out with people, eat some barbecue, do whatever you want to do, but you're running for one of the

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highest-profile races. You've been catapulted into the national spotlight. So, why are you running for such a a huge office and taking this on? Cuz I'm imagining it's a whole lot to carry.

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Yeah, well, before I was ever in elected office, I was a school teacher. I taught sixth grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School. Shout out to Rhodes and uh and the Wildcats. Um the west side of San Antonio is a

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beautiful, historic neighborhood. It's also one of the poorest zip codes in the whole state of Texas. And so I saw firsthand how decisions made in the halls of power, whether it's the halls of the state capital or the halls of our

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national capital, hurt [snorts and clears throat] students like the ones that I taught, um hurt communities like the west side, and that's really what pushed me into into policy and and and politics. Um I first ran for the state house

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in 2018. Uh I was a Democrat running in a Trump district, uh in a county that was so red it hadn't voted for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter for president. And so I I had to build a big

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coalition, I had to bring a lot of people together across all these lines to win that seat. We ended up flipping that that district on election night, shocking the political world in Texas.

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And now I'm in my fourth term in the state house, where I've built those big coalitions to pass major policy that helps people in our state. I've had to go toe-to-toe with some of the mega donors that control

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Texas politics. I've had to speak truth to power and I've had to work across the aisle to pass bills that actually lower people's costs and help people get ahead in this economy. I think all of those fights that I've been involved with and leading

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at the state capital are now even more urgent at our nation's capital. The fight against corruption, the fight to lower costs, the fight to make government work for regular people and I think I've developed a skill set in the trenches of the Texas

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legislature, which is not an easy place to work certainly as a Democrat. And I want to take those skills, take those fights to where they're needed most on behalf of the people in my state.

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You're a Presbyterian seminarian and your views on Christianity have really united a lot of people around the country. They've also caused a whole lot of shock and awe in some circles. Can you share about your faith, about where

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it comes from and about the message that you're sharing that seems to be really I mean really creating a connection with so many people?

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Well, you and I have talked about this a lot cuz I know we're both people of faith and our faith is very important to to both of us and and so the message that I'm that I'm trying to share either

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on the campaign trail or from pulpits across the state when I'm preaching as a seminarian, it's the same message of love thy neighbor and that's a very old message that comes from all the major world religions that has been

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championed by some of our heroes throughout American history and I think every generation we have to remind ourselves of the importance of loving our neighbors and it feels like in in moment when democracy is is in trouble both here and abroad like

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we have to figure out how to love our neighbors again especially our neighbors who are different from us our neighbors who disagree with us um we've got to find a way to love each other through those disagreements and

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those differences um otherwise this American experiment won't last and so I'm I'm trying to bring some of those teachings from our tradition um into the political sphere uh cuz I think they're needed now more than ever before.

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Can you talk about your granddad? Yeah. Mhm and what he taught you. Yeah. Important so the two commandments.

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Yeah. So my granddad was a Baptist preacher in South Texas and um I was I was named after him um so when I was growing up he was always uh Big Jimmy and I was Little Jimmy. Um that was at family gatherings so they

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were able to tell us apart when um uh when one of us was getting called out for something.

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And um he always told me that Christianity is a simple religion not an easy religion he would always clarify but a simple religion because Jesus gave us these two commandments to follow love God and love neighbor and that second commandment is really

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what um set me on the course I'm on now um the reason I signed up to be a public school teacher uh on the west side of San Antonio was that commandment to love my neighbor as myself. Um the reason I ran for the

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state house was to try to follow that commandment and to try to craft public policies that are going to help my neighbor. It's going to make my neighbor's life a little easier a little less stressful um and I was able to

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to pass those bills because I was able to love my colleagues my neighbors in the state legislature even when we disagreed on other issues.

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Uh I was I always try to remember that everyone I come across is the expression of a divine source.

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Every person that I meet is the bearer of a sacred image. And I forget that all the time. We all forget it all the time, but the more that I can hold on to that and remember that, especially in my

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political work, I think the more effective I am on bringing people over who may not agree with me on a lot a lot of other issues, the more I'm able to serve my constituents and make their lives better.

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It is it is valuing each and every person and valuing their humanity. And that really stems from those teachings that my granddad passed on to me and that Jesus is still communicating to us 2,000 years later.

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And you talk about, you know, loving your neighbor. Cuz a lot of people are like, "Oh, yeah, you know, I I love God.

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I love my neighbor." You know, about loving your neighbor. If you truly love your neighbor, it's your atheist neighbors, your agnostic neighbors, your Buddhist neighbors, your LGBTQ neighbors, all of your neighbors, your undocumented neighbors, right? You talk about that a lot. And I think for a

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lot of people they're like, "Oh, yeah." Well, and anyone who's read the New Testament quickly finds out that those are the neighbors were specifically called to love. It's our neighbors who are the most different from us.

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Um because it's really easy to love your neighbor who looks like you, who prays like you, who votes like you. Like the That's not a That's not a challenge.

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The challenge is to love people who who look differently, who pray differently, who vote differently.

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Um and and when you read Jesus's parables, the hero is almost always someone who is on the outside, who's on the margins, who's different and despised.

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And that's who we're called to love as ourselves. And it's not easy, um, but I think if we figure out how to do that, we're going to save this American experiment. We're going to rebuild our communities that have been torn apart by

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forces much bigger than than than us as individuals, um, and we'll be able to get this this country and this world back on track.

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So many people are searching for meaning, and they maybe feel like, "Huh, maybe I want faith in my life or something bigger than myself." But then they see these examples of people who maybe claim they're Christian, but their

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actions look a whole lot more like hate than they do love. They see politicians who run on Christian platforms, but then they're like, "Well, wait a minute. That doesn't seem like that feels congruent or aligned." And so then a lot of people

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actually stay away from faith cuz they're worried that they're going to be disqualified or they're going to be judged or they're going to be, you know, expected to be divisive or to hate other people or to be exclusionary. Can you

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talk about something that I know is a huge passion of yours that I think a lot of people are maybe starting to be aware of, but uh, can you talk about Christian nationalism and what people should know, what it is, how does it affect them?

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So, I would define Christian nationalism as the worship of power in the name of Christ.

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And I define it really broadly so that we can see different forms of Christian nationalism rearing its head throughout the history of the church. Um, because our religion has always struggled with its relationship with power. Um, it's something Jesus warns us about. Um,

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one of the things the devil offers to Jesus out in the wilderness is political power, all the kingdoms of the world.

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And Jesus rejects it. Jesus tells his disciples on a regular basis to think of power differently, to think of power with rather than power over.

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Um, you know, if you want to be a a leader, you have to be a servant to others. That idea of servant leadership is redefining our relationship with power, specifically political power. Um and and so that struggle is alive and well

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today. And so you see um many of our fellow Christians specifically those who serve in elected office um they are attempting to use their power as elected officials and the power of the state, the power of the government

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to force their understanding of Christianity down other people's throats. Uh specifically our Jewish Muslim Hindu Buddhist Sikh atheist agnostic neighbors.

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And those are the exact neighbors who we are called to love as ourselves. And I I don't know about you, Jamie, but I don't want anyone's religion forced down my throat. Certainly don't want it coming from a government, from a state.

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Uh so why would I do that to anyone else? I think that's the basic test we have to apply. Um and so again, I think we have to have a real conversation within the church, within Christian communities about what is our

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uh our relationship with power. Um because in my mind as a Christian power that is not shared uh is is also domination.

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Mhm. Um and in a democracy it's all about sharing power. Um we acknowledge that power is real and that it has consequences.

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And we commit to sharing that together as a as a nation, as communities. And I think that's where we have to strive. Um theocracy in my mind is the most dangerous form of government because the only thing worse

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than a tyrant is a tyrant who thinks they're on a mission from God. Mhm.

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And and that's why our faith in Jesus should lead us away from theocracy, away from tyranny, away from Christian nationalism, and toward a multiracial, multicultural democracy where we can all freely love God and fully love our neighbors.

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A lot of people don't know this, but during your first campaign, you almost fell into a diabetic coma. You almost died. What was it like to find out you were diabetic in your 20s?

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So, in my very first campaign, uh back in 2018, I was running for the state house, and I decided to walk the entire length of my district from Round Rock, Texas to did.

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Taylor, Texas. And well, I wanted to you know, so much of politics now is um filtered.

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Mhm. Um sometimes literally, but also uh just there's so many layers between me and the people that I seek to represent. There's the traditional media, there's social media, there's algorithms, platforms, there's staff, campaign staff, and and um and

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interviewers. There's There's all these layers in between a person running for office and the people they seek to represent. And so, I was trying to figure out how could we tear down some of those filters? How could we break some of those

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walls in between me and and the people in my community? And so, I had this idea of just walking the length of the district on foot all in one day and holding three town halls along the way.

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And so, it was 25 miles. Um did it all in the Texas heat, did it all on foot. I wasn't worried about my ability to do the walk. I was 28 years old, uh perfectly healthy. I hike Big Bend every

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year. And and so, I wasn't worried about my ability to pull it off. Halfway through the walk, I started to feel fatigued and a little nauseous.

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Uh I threw up a couple times along the walk. Oh, wow. Um somehow I finished the whole thing, finished the last town hall.

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I figured I was just dehydrated. And so I went to went to bed. I thought I just needed a good night's sleep. And I ended up sleeping for 36 hours straight.

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Mhm. My family got concerned. They took me to the ER. Nurses checked my blood sugar. I don't I don't think I'd ever had my blood sugar tested before. I wasn't even really sure what blood sugar was.

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And they told me that a normal blood sugar is 100 or lower. Mine was 900.

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Mhm. [clears throat] So I was in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis, which leads to coma and death without insulin. And so I was lucky to be alive, very thankful for the doctors and nurses um in Williamson County who

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who brought me back to health. Um I left the ICU to go pick up my first 30-day supply of insulin, this new medicine that I now needed to live every day.

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And that 30-day supply of insulin cost me $684. And I didn't have that kind of money. I put it on a credit card.

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And I learned that Texans like me with diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes, are rationing or skipping doses because they can't afford their insulin, their the medicine that they need. And so when I won that seat I I brought Democrats and Republicans

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together. I took on Big Pharma and their lobbyists. And we passed a bill that caps insulin co-pays in the state of Texas at $25 per prescription.

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So from 684 to 25. That is what's possible when you bring people together to take on the special interests that have corrupted our government at our expense. And that was just a personal um example, uh but we're trying to do

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that across issue areas um for Texans who desperately need a government's going to work for them.

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The number of bills you've passed by bringing Democrats and Republicans together is why people call you workhorse, not showhorse. And like it's just it's really um I wish every person in office, no matter their party, would be able to do that.

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Well, Our country needs it. And there's no way in the Texas legislature for me to pass anything without Republican support. And that's a it's it's a it's a blessing in disguise because it forces you to get outside of your comfort zone

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to work with folks who you may not always agree with. Mhm. Um and and hopefully come to to to some kind of common ground. Um you know, I I [laughter] I think it's because like I I grew up

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with Republicans. Yeah. Like every one of my teachers growing up was a card-carrying Republican. They loved me deeply. I loved them. I have so many family members who vote Republican, so many friends who I grew up with who

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voted for Donald Trump in the last election. And I love these people. These people are are such integral parts of my life and and a part of me as a person.

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And so I you know, I I can't um cancel them. Um I can't write them off because they're a part of my life.

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And I just feel like that that is a blessing because it helps me to to see my political opponents as human beings first. It allows me to connect with them.

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And then it allows us to find common ground and actually make some progress. And I feel like that's what our politics needs at every level in both political parties. And it's why competitive elections, why um why breaking one-party rule in Texas is

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so important because one-party rule always leads to extremism and corruption. Whether it's the Republican Party in Texas or the Democratic Party elsewhere, um you need that competition so so it forces lawmakers in both parties to work together, to talk to one

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another, to compromise. Um we don't have that in Texas right now because um we've had one-party rule for 30 years. So, you see a lot of extremism, you see a lot of corruption in our state. Um and I think it's why people

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are hungry for a change. You know, I'm the same. I think a lot of people resonate with what you just said.

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I mean, my family I have five families. I'm adopted. It's a whole story. They're split. I mean, I have family members that are die-hard Trump supporters no matter what happens. I have family members that think those family members

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are nuts and they don't understand that for anything. And you know, it's I love like it's why on this show I've had Republicans, I've had Democrats, I've had independents. I I feel like in order for us to help heal humanity through

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love, we have to understand the humans that make it up. But for you, I want to ask you this cuz a lot of people want to know this question. You know, a lot of people wrote in questions for you. I'm so

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excited. We're going to dive into all the topics. Nothing's off-limits, which I love. So, thank you for that. There's so much coming. Y'all ready? Um but you know, one of the big questions was, you know, where you're at politically?

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Specifically, can you share with us um can you share with us why you're a Democrat? And also, where you would sort of place yourself on or classify yourself in terms of all the ways people to classify you as centrist,

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a you know, socialist. You know, people you'll hear everything. So, I would love to hear it in your words.

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Yeah. Well, one, I just I detest this um this need that we have in our politics to put us all in containers.

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Yes. Um and it is strong. I've had so many people trying to figure out where to how to label me. Um and we do that to each other. Um and we do it as a shorthand. And I think it's

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part of what flattens us because the honest truth is um and I'm sure your family members would agree, we have all these things inside of us, right? There are some issues where I'm a little more conservative, some issues where I'm a

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little moderate, some issues where I'm a little more progressive. And I always try to do what I think is best, even if it's bucking my own party to do it. And I've done that a bunch of times in the Texas legislature.

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And so, you know, I think about in in our faith tradition the the the tree that Adam and Eve ate from was the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

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And it's that dualistic thinking, it's the trying to make things black or white, this or that, that gets us in so much trouble in our politics. And it's what I'm trying to avoid as much as I can in this campaign

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because I think these are often times false choices. And it it allows us to to It allows us to look past some of the complexities in our politics and policy making. But, if I was to give a label for myself, I would call myself

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a Texas Democrat. This seat that I'm running for is Lyndon Johnson's seat, LBJ's Senate seat.

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And LBJ, he's from the Texas Hill Country, Central Texas, which is where I'm from.

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He was a former teacher before he ran for office. So, I have a lot of I feel a lot of connection to LBJ and his legacy. And politically he was able to marry two things.

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Bold, moral, political imagination. He was able to to really see what was wrong in this country and have bold solutions for how to transform it. Not nibble around the edges, but I mean, I'm talking about Medicare, Medicaid, Head

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Start and Title 1, the War on Poverty, Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act. I mean, he he went big.

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He was able to marry that bold imagination with practical politics, coalition building, reaching out to people on the other side, building a team that could actually pass these policies, implement them, and sustain them.

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And that kind of that marriage between pragmatic politics and bold moral imagination, I feel like that is the key to success for the Democratic Party moving forward.

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We have to hold both of those things together like LBJ did, like Dr. King did, because that's how they were able to pass the Great Society.

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And if we want to do that for our generation, if we want to have a if we want to have bold action that's going to restructure this economy, restructure this political system, so that it works for regular people again,

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we're going to need to have those two things together. And and I think it's only appropriate that the person who holds LBJ's Senate seat brings those two things together in the US Senate.

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Holding LBJ's Senate seat makes me think about how right now anybody who Googles you, they will see comparisons all over online with people comparing you to JFK, people talking about how impactful some of your talks are and how moving they

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are. When you see and there's there's uh influencers doing side-by-side photos of you and JFK. Oh, I mean, it's it's a whole wild world out there. Uh when you when you hear those comparisons, um some people talking about uh when they hear

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you speak, it reminds them of Obama in the 2004 DNC where they just felt hope ignited again. When you hear these type of of comparisons, what do you think?

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I think it just reveals a a hunger for someone under the age of 80 to run for office. Um you know, I love our I love our our senior lawmakers and legislators, but I do think people, especially in the

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Democratic Party, are hungry for a new generation to step up. And that's what we saw in in the Kennedys, that's what we saw in President Obama was um young people stepping up to lead. And and I think that's so important right now

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because young people are able to see the world anew and and dream of the way things ought to be.

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And I think we've we've really been lacking for that. Uh I think we we've been missing that inspiration. Uh and that vision that really only young candidates can provide. So, I'm very flattered by any of those comparisons. I do think it

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reveals something a little deeper, which is that folks are ready for the next generation to step up.

Speaker A

[snorts] Well, we're going to dive into all the hot topics. There's so much uh coming up, um especially on some of your most widely debated issues.

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Yeah. Uh but one thing I love to do on this show is really um dive into sort of the story behind the story and the who the person really truly is. And I really want to get to know the man behind the movement.

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Yeah. And I know for you, um your mom has been an influential hero in your life.

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Yeah. Yeah, I mean, it was just me and her um right after I was born, uh she was a preacher's daughter from South Texas, from Laredo, right there on our on our southern border.

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And uh she left home at 19. She She, like me, has a a rebellious streak. Um she you know, has a problem with authority uh sometimes and has no problems speaking truth to power.

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And so, when she was 19, you know, she I think was ready to leave Laredo behind and strike out on her own and build her own life. Um and so, she moved up to Austin, Texas, the big city, and that was where she met

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my birth father, who was a um 21-year-old high school dropout. Uh he had a drinking problem, and um he sometimes would become abusive.

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And after I was born, uh he one night got physical again, and that night, I think my mother's rebellious streak and her love for me came together at just the right moment, and she decided to leave. She packed all our stuff into her little

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Ford Escort. Um she drove me to the hotel where she worked. She begged the manager to let us stay in one of the rooms until we found this little apartment in East Austin. And um and and it wasn't a big

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it wasn't a big place. Uh there wasn't room for like a separate nursery. And uh and so I slept in a uh crib in her closet. And she was so proud of that closet. She talks about how she decorated it with toys and

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pictures, like it looked like a nursery. Um that to me has just always been like a symbol of of her love, um the kind of love that single parents um that all parents uh around this this country have

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for their kids, the lengths we will go to fight for the people that we love. Um so it's always just been, you know, it's her story, but um it's always been such an inspiration to me, um and has really shaped my life and

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shaped my service. Well, I want to pull something out. A photo that your mom posted.

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Okay. Okay. [laughter] Of her hugging you, um giving you a kiss, and she wrote, "Uh I got to vote for Jimmy for the first time today. I hope no one heard me crying in the booth.

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That's funny. Yes, I remember this. Um Yeah, this was in um my first race in House District 50.

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Um and she she came to vote uh with me and you know, I think it was a very emotional experience uh for both of us.

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That apartment that I was just telling you about is in my legislative district. Um so, I I represent that apartment in The one with the narrow stairs in the closet.

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Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, I think her being able to vote for vote for me to be her state rep and to fight for her um was a was a special moment to say the least.

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When you see her in that photo and and she's able to share with the world how proud she is of you, how does it make you feel?

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All I can think about here is um how much I rolled my eyes before she asked me to take this photo cuz she [laughter] she was she we were out there. We took like a regular photo, right? Side by

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side, smiling. And then she was like, "Can I do one kissing you?" And like, you know, there were other people around. My campaign team was around and I'm going to have my mom kiss me, but um you know, you can't say no.

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So, uh I I uh indulged her for this photo. And uh and this is the one she decided to post. So, um but no, this is such a it was a really special moment and and um you know, I would not

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would not be here sitting for this interview, would not be a state representative, certainly wouldn't be running for the US Senate if if it wasn't for her.

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Uh so, I owe everything to her. So, she gets her silly picture. She gets her picture.

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Yeah, that's the least I could do. Uh we don't often hear about your adopted dad, Mark Talerico, when you're out there on the campaign trail. Can you tell us about him and his role in your life?

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Yeah, I I and thank you for asking cuz, you know, my mom and her story, her personality, like she she gets a lot of attention and not a lot of people ask about my adoptive dad because uh you know, I

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I've said before, the luckiest thing that has ever happened to me in my whole life and I'm a lucky person, a very lucky person.

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The luckiest thing that ever happened to me was meeting Mark Talarico. Mhm. Um he he fell in love with my mom uh and then fell in love with me and adopted me and gave me his last name, raised me as his

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own. Um there's been there's been so much conversation in this country in recent years about um about what it means to be a man.

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Yeah. What it means to be a young man. Um and I know young men are being you know, they're these predatory algorithms that are taking advantage of young men all over this country.

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Um the like model for me for what a man is is my dad. Mhm.

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Um I'll just tell you uh just one example. Um every Saturday he would mow the lawn. He still mows the lawn. Like he you know, I've tried to urge him to get like to pay someone to mow the lawn or pay a kid

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in the cul-de-sac to mow mow the lawn, but he won't. Like he he always does it himself.

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And when we were growing up, he would mow our lawn and then he would mow our next door neighbor's lawn Mhm.

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because she was um elderly, she was a widow. And I he would do it and never talk about it.

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Wow. Um and and I don't even know if she asked him to do it. He just it was like it was his responsibility.

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Um and and not just a responsibility for me and my sister and and and mom, our immediate family. It was a it was a responsibility to like everyone around him, including Nita, um our next door neighbor.

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And that just always struck me as like that's exactly what a man, a father should be. Someone who takes responsibility.

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Someone who does the right thing even when no one's watching. And that's exactly the kind of person he is.

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Always honest. Always doing the right thing. Always helping other people. Just the most remarkable man I know. And I'm like so lucky I had that as the model.

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When I was growing up. And you've already you've already heard about my mother. So like I just I hit the parent lottery. The jackpot.

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I I owe everything to both of them. And so thanks for asking about him.

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To say that he is the best thing that's ever happened. I've never heard you share that before.

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I've never heard you never heard you talk about this and that's a big thing to say and he's probably going to watch this and cry.

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Like if I was a parent and my child said that about me. Yeah. Yeah.

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It's just true. I just my mother's a remarkable person and I already said I would not be here if it wasn't for her. And her her act of of heroism and But I feel like my my dad gave me so many gifts.

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Taught me so much about responsibility. I was Here, let me just tell you this.

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Like I was um Like I told you my mom has a rebellious streak and I told you I have the same one. And when I was younger that very much manifested and you're not going to believe this but

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I was like a a problem kid at school. Like I acted out a lot. I talked when I wasn't supposed to. I talked back when I wasn't supposed to. Got in trouble with authority figures a lot. Got in trouble

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a lot. Was in detention and and all that stuff. And I feel like it was my dad's leadership as as my father as as as the person and kind of um, rein some of that in um, because every

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kid needs that uh, and um, and so I feel like that structure um, that example is what allowed me to kind of harness some of those impulses and channel them in more productive ways, right? Cuz now I take that impulse of

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speaking truth to power and I do it on the house floor on behalf of my constituents, right? Calling out big pharma, calling out you know, uh, billionaire mega donors, like I'm able to do that because um, I've channeled

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that um, that trait into something that's useful and productive for the world. And I think my dad is really who through his raising helped me do that.

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So I just I I kind of just I give him so much of the credit for um, the person I am today and um, the work that I get to do. Um, I don't know if I would be doing any of

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this um, if my dad hadn't raised me into the [clears throat] the man I am today.

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This is fascinating. Yeah. So you're born with that bite in you? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

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And then we're we're seeing it playing out right now. Yeah. In a lot of areas that people are really passionate about.

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Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, talk about your sister and one of the favorite women in your entire life, favorite little girl in your entire life, your your your niece.

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Yes. Jean. Yes. Um, I also don't get to talk about Madeleine a whole lot. Madeleine's my sister. Um, you know, Madeleine was born um, 10 weeks premature.

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Mhm. Uh, and it was a a frightening um, pregnancy, uh, frightening delivery and doctors weren't sure if she was going to make it. They told us she wasn't going to be able to talk or walk.

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Um, and my mom was in the um, in the hospital for so long that her boss uh, called her and fired her over the phone.

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Mhm. So, there she was with a baby struggling to survive, no job, um another kid who needs to be watched.

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My dad took on extra work to kind of keep our family afloat. Um every night mom went to go um be with Madeleine in the NICU.

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Um and and to make sure that someone was taking care of me, our church, St. Andrews, they created a babysitting tree to make sure there was always someone with me every night so mom and dad could be at the hospital.

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And like that to me is the since um we're both believers, that's the body of Christ.

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Um and and so our church kind of kept us afloat in that moment when our family um needed it the most. Um anyway, Madeleine um got out of the NICU, she learned to walk, she learned to talk, she became a successful

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accountant. Uh she married my brother-in-law, uh Matt, uh who was an army doctor. And now they have my baby niece Jane. Um and baby baby Jane looks a lot like Madeleine when she was little. Um so she reminds us all of

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of of Madeleine. Um and they all live uh about 15 minutes from me. So I get to be with them a lot. Well, since the campaign started it hasn't been a lot, but whenever I get a moment off the trail, um I always

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try to to be with Jane um because she is just the joy of our lives.

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She's the first of that generation for our whole extended family. Um so not even just our immediate, but aunts, uncles, cousins, like she's the first of this new generation. And so she's just she we're all obsessed with her and she gets all our attention, all

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of our our lock screens are are some kind of picture of Jane. Uh and uh we renamed the family group chat to Jane's fan club um cuz it's just Jane content all day long Um but it is just

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so special to watch her grow into a a very curious silly and very kind toddler um and you know the hope is that we're going to build a Texas that's worthy of her because I worry about you know the state that

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she's going to inherit and will she have you know good public schools to go to will she have clean air clean water will she have all her rights you know that's so not only is she kind of a comfort but

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she's also very much an inspiration Mhm. she reminds me of like why this is so important and what's at stake Will she have a job with AI?

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That's right. to ask you about that. You know it's wild James that when I asked when I opened the floor and asked you know ask anything of James Tallarico. What do you want to know? What questions do you

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want to know? I expected the most popular questions to be maybe how you feel about you know the Iran war or where you stand on particular topics.

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The biggest question not even close the most popular question that we got asked is are you single?

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[laughter] Are you single? So you have a girlfriend I do. of many years. I do and she is she is my rock. She is my best friend. I I don't know if I could have gotten through the last six

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months of this crazy race if if she hadn't been by my side so yeah thanks for asking about about her as well.

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And can you share how you've met? Yeah well we we actually work together and then we became best friends and then we fell in love and we've been together ever since.

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How is she handling everything happening right now? Well I don't I don't think she wants any part of this running for Senate. Um I think she's very proud of me and and um very supportive. Um but there's just been so many

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attacks um you know, coming at me and um coming at our team, coming at my church, my pastor.

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Um and so you know, what I'm trying to do is protect her and my family and my friends from the impacts of this race because I signed up to run for the US Senate.

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Yeah. Obviously, they did not. Um and um and so I'm trying to balance um running this race while also protecting them and protecting her in particular.

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I want to ask you about that because with all the political violence, do you worry for your safety?

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I don't worry about my safety. Um I do worry about this democracy and whether it can sustain this level of political violence, this type of violent rhetoric. Um so I worry for us as a whole. Um but you

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know we we take precautions to keep me and and the team safe, um keep our supporters safe at events.

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Um and I have every confidence in our in our uh in our security team. Um but I have deep concerns about how we move forward together, how this American experiment continues when we handle each other so carelessly.

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Yeah. Um you know, I you had asked earlier about like what's drawing people to this campaign. Um you and I are both people of faith. Um and we both know the importance of the sacraments um of these kind of sacred rituals

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um to get us in touch with um with God and and um with our own spirits.

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I I feel like we got to get to a point where we treat politics as a kind of sacrament.

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I know that may seem strange. You wouldn't think of sacrament and politics as being um in the same sentence but I mean, it is sacred work that we get to do in a democracy, whether we're a candidate, whether we're

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um someone interviewing a candidate, whether we're citizens and neighbors. Like, we get to shape our destinies together.

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Uh and that requires that we enter into this work with kind of a spiritual mindset. I I've said before that democracy is a spiritual practice.

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And so, I think if we could get to this sacramental kind of politics, where we handle each other with more care, where we see each other as um as divine image bearers. Um I think that could be a game changer for this

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American experiment, and not just here, but this experiment in democracy all over the world.

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You know, it feels like uh and it's a big concern, I think, of a lot of people just what feels like a uh reinvigorated, if you will, um surge of political violence and of threats and of divisiveness and of

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vitriol. And, you know, recently you've been getting different types of threats. And I just want to ask you about that cuz you talk about being protective of your loved ones.

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Yeah. And your family and how they didn't sign up for this and you're entering this.

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And now you're in one of the most highly watched US Senate races in history.

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Yeah. You're getting attacks from the current administration, from the current president, which I'll dive into in a minute, but recently you received a threat uh reportedly the secretary of war, Pete Hegseth's pastor, Brooks Potteiger, called for your death, uh to which you

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publicly replied, "Jesus loves, Christian nationalism kills. You may pray for my death, pastor, but I still love you. I love you more than you could ever hate me.

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Is how you replied. Yeah. What are your thoughts on that and how did that moment impact your family, your girlfriend, the the people you care about most?

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Yeah. Cuz I'll be honest, I would start freak if it were me and I'm your mom and I'm your sister. I would be stress eating some Texas barbecue 24/7. I'd be Yeah.

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freaking out. How are you handling all this and and on a very serious note Yeah.

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when you hear this Yeah. how are you carrying this? Yeah. Well, again, you know my top concern is for the people around me, um, for my family, for our team, for our supporters, um and that's why we've taken precautions to make sure that

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everyone is protected. Um but you know, when I when I first heard that, um like any human being, um you know, I I had a lot of emotions, um hurt anger, fear um but like I said earlier I always try

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to remind myself that every single person that I come across is a child of God including someone who is praying for my death.

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And so when you when you take that seriously um then you start to ask yourself what leads a person to say that?

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Mhm. [clears throat] Um what where is their head at? Where is their heart at? Um what fear must they be feeling to lash out in that way?

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And then you start to realize that, you know, we all feel those those fears. Um we're all worried about change. We're all trying to grasp on to some kind of certainty um whether it's in our political ideology, our religion,

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whether it's with money and possessions and power and control. Like we're all we're all those, you know, um fearful little people at times.

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Um and so once you can recognize that in yourself, it's I think easier to be compassionate. Um and um and so that's why I I put out that that statement because again, as a Christian, I'm called to love my enemies.

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Um and um and it doesn't mean it doesn't mean you don't speak truth to power. It doesn't mean you don't hold um people accountable. Doesn't mean you don't stand up for your convictions, for your neighbors, especially your neighbors who are in harm's way.

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But it's it means that we're supposed to do all those things while still seeing the full humanity in our opponents.

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Um and um you know, as someone who talks about his faith a lot in public, I feel I an immense amount of responsibility to try to model some of these things for the people who are watching me. Um and so if, you know,

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if there's someone who threatening or praying for your death is an extreme example, but we're constantly um in a democracy coming again coming up against people or groups who um are either intentionally or unintentionally trying to cause us harm.

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How do we deal with those people in a democracy? How are you supposed to think about and feel about those people um if democracy is a spiritual practice?

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And um so that was my best attempt um when my, you know, my well-being was was threatened by someone.

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Well, I want to know, you know, the man behind the movement right now, how you decompress from all this, what you do for fun outside of work. I know you're a big country music fan.

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I am. You love some Texas barbecue. I do. Despite certain people calling you vegan, you apparently I know you love brisket and you love was not one of the one of the accusations I thought was going to get

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thrown around in this campaign, but it it has been. You're a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue, and brisket.

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I am. I am. Yeah, you know, I I don't get a lot of time off the campaign trail these days.

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But when I do, obviously it's most of the time is spent with family, spent with friends, spent with loved ones because that's the best way for me to to to stay grounded.

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You know, I I um I recently read Project Hail Mary, which is a sci-fi novel. It's now a movie.

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Um and sometimes I feel like an astronaut who has been like flung off into space. Um and being a candidate sometimes can be a lonely experience even though you're surrounded by people all the time.

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You know, not everybody um you know, knows what it feels like to kind of go through something like this with the the attacks that come your way and and all that stuff. So, spending the limited free time I have

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with the people who know me in real life, who know me as a human being, not as a candidate or an idea, but as a flesh and blood person, um that's really important to keep me kind of tethered

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um to keep me sane through this adventure. Um but you know, I also love being outdoors. I love hiking. I mentioned my love for Big Bend. Also give a shout out to Los Maples, which is a a state natural area in the Hill

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Country, and to the the hike and bike trails around Austin. Uh that's very much a way that I stay connected and grounded is being out in nature.

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And then last I would say is reading. I was a language arts teacher and I I've been a a lover of books my whole life.

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It's why I have I fought so hard against a lot of these efforts to censor or ban books in Texas because I know the power of of books in my life and in the lives of of of students.

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And so reading is is definitely a way that I relax and a way that I try to um cultivate my own imagination and creativity is through reading and and so if you ever come into my house you would

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just see like a wall of books and books on the floor and books in the closet. Um and I don't do um Kindle or or the ebooks just because like I tried one time and there was like a dictionary

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feature we could look up words and I ended up just like looking up tons of words and I never got past like the page I was on cuz I was too distracted. Um and so if you ever come into my house

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they're still the best way for me to to um to try to disconnect from the craziness that's happening all around me.

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You know in when you think about your personal life you talk so much about your niece loving your your niece baby Jane. Have to ask you this don't kill me. Don't kill me.

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And I've seen your girlfriend playing with your niece and you know how much you love kids when we think about your future do you want kids one day? What what do you what can you share with us about it?

Speaker A

[laughter] Well now you sound like my mom asking when I'm when I'm going to give her another grandbaby. I definitely do.

Speaker A

I definitely do want to have kids one day. It's kind of hard in the middle of this campaign to think Yeah.

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you know the next week ahead. Certainly hard to think that far in advance but it's definitely something that I want to do one day.

Speaker A

You know, just seeing you talk when you talk about your niece, it's like your eyes light up.

Speaker A

Yeah. Well, in being and being around being around Jane and being around my sister and brother-in-law as they as they embark on this adventure of parenthood, it has definitely confirmed in me that that's something I want to do.

Speaker A

I've just seen I've seen how it's changed my sister and brother-in-law too for the better. I mean, they're sleep deprived and stressed out and exhausted, but their heart their hearts seem to be so much bigger now. And they just seem to

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understand love in a way that I think it's hard to understand without having kids. Not that you can't cuz lots of people do, but it is definitely one way to tap into a deeper, bigger love and um and I definitely

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want the opportunity to to experience that. For some reason I'm just thinking about you know, Michelle Obama was on the show and I'm thinking about how Sasha and Malia grew up in the White House. Turned out great. Chelsea Clinton, great place

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for kids to grow up. I don't I'm just thinking about it. I want to talk about your campaign though. So, you've been crushing it with fundraising.

Speaker A

You've raised more than any US Senate candidate in US history Q1 of this year.

Speaker A

Is that right? What Congratulations on that. It really is I know I know that percent is insanely high of donations under $100. It's like a people powered movement. Can you talk about your fundraising strategy and what the heck is happening cuz everyone's

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watching? Yeah. I've made the commitment not to take corporate PAC money. I've never taken corporate PAC money in my time in the legislature and I'm not doing it Um, as a Senate candidate or as or as a senator. Uh, and so this is a

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people-powered campaign. I think what's even more impressive than that big number is where it came from. It came from more than half a million people who donated their hard-earned money to this race. 98% of the donations are under

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$100. Um, you have to list list your occupation. The most common profession out of all of our donors is teacher.

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Which as a former teacher just really fills my heart. Um, so this is very much working people giving 5, 10, 15 dollars at a time.

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Um, some of them are on a monthly plan, you know, just like you pay for Netflix or um, or a or a newspaper subscription.

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They are helping to fund a candidate that um, that can represent them in in Washington D.C. So, um, yeah, I'm really proud of of this people-powered movement that we've built.

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And you're the only candidate not taking corporate PAC money. Is that sustainable long-term? I think so. I think we're proving that um, with this fundraising success. Uh, if you can inspire enough people, if you can mobilize enough people to give small

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amounts of money, then I don't think you need the corporate PACs. Um, you don't need the the the Walmarts or the um, uh, the Exxon Mobils of the world to fund your campaign.

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Um, you know, I I as a legislator was always um, you know, I I had an open door policy when I was in the state house to local businesses who employed my constituents.

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I'll have the same policy as a U.S. Senator. I want to work with our business leaders to make sure we support Texas businesses. Um, big and small.

Speaker A

Um, I just don't think that corporate influences should have um, that much sway uh, with a elected official. So, it's why I've tried to limit the influence in, um, in my campaign and hopefully in my Senate office.

Speaker A

You talk a lot about billionaires and their puppet politicians. I want to get granular for a minute on this cuz I think this is super important. There's probably a lot of people watching this wondering, um, who maybe know my story or my journey. So,

Speaker A

you know, I feel so blessed to be, uh, one of many people who believe in and have lived the American dream. And I remember working so many jobs. My parents were so hard working. You know, I'm the first person in my family to go

Speaker A

to college. But I remember, you know, Denny's waitress. I remember just working so hard and eventually I built my own company from my living room. And, uh, eventually over a thousand employees. Was able to sell it to L'Oreal, uh, the biggest beauty company

Speaker A

in the world for a whole lot of money. And and and can you talk about can you talk about your passion behind, um, talking about billionaires Yep.

Speaker A

and their puppet politicians, why people at home should care about this, Yeah. and how you are so clear. And I think this is so powerful, James, when you talk about this, when you talk about how so many of us are focused on the wrong

Speaker A

1%. Yeah. Um, can you can you share that? Cuz also we still want people passionate about the American dream.

Speaker A

Right, of course. of explain Yeah. explain where you are there. Yeah, I mean, I I I really see this campaign as on a mission to revitalize that American dream that you lived, that a lot of people have had the privilege

Speaker A

to live, but it's slipping out of reach for a lot of people. Um, I saw a a stat that 90% of baby boomers went on to earn more money than their parents, which I I think is a pretty fair

Speaker A

definition of the American dream, right? Being more successful than the generation before you. Yes.

Speaker A

For millennials, it's 50%. Mhm. For Gen Z, it's even lower than that. So, the American dream that was a reality for the vast majority of people in in that generation is now slipping out of reach for millennials and Gen Zers.

Speaker A

And that is not because our generations are lazier. It's because the structure of the economy itself has changed over the last 50 years and the structure of our political system.

Speaker A

Both of those systems, our economic and political systems, over the last 50 years were corrupted by the wealthiest people in this country.

Speaker A

Billionaires, billionaire mega donors, Elon Musk is now on track to become the world's first trillionaire, and they have rigged through their donations to politicians, by buying politicians, they've rigged the economic system to benefit them at our expense through a whole bunch of different ways.

Speaker A

Taxes regulation um you know, jobs and industries and um and unions, the power to to to organize. All of these things in concert have led us to this moment where a person who's listening to this podcast right now in Texas can't afford to make

Speaker A

to make their ends meet. They um they're trying to figure out where they're going to get enough money to pay the mortgage and the child care bill and um and insurance and utilities and transportation. Now, with gas prices

Speaker A

rising, and they're trying to figure out why do I feel like I'm drowning when I work hard? Why can't I seem to get ahead no matter how many hours I put in?

Speaker A

And what I'm trying to point out is that it is the folks at the very top who have corrupted our political system and who have rigged the economy in their in their favor.

Speaker A

That is the real problem. It's why I say that the real fight in this country is not left versus right, it's top versus bottom. Because whether you're a little more progressive or a little more conservative, whether you like Democrats or like Republicans,

Speaker A

we're all getting screwed. None of us can afford our housing, none of us can afford child care, none of us can afford our prescription drugs, none of us can afford to put our kids through college.

Speaker A

And so we have to figure out how to unrig this economic system. And it starts by getting the corruption out of our politics.

Speaker A

I'm not trying to demonize these billionaire mega donors. Again, loving my enemies. I think the world that we're going to build with shared prosperity, with more wealthy people who pay their fair share in taxes, and who don't use all the

Speaker A

loopholes to get out of it, I think that world is going to be better for all of us, whether you're wealthy or whether you're you're working class.

Speaker A

Um and and I think it will lead to more success, not less. Because I want people to be successful. I want people to live the dream that you've gotten to live. I I've said before, I want an economy that

Speaker A

creates more millionaires and fewer trillionaires. Right? I want that success to be to be broad-based. I want it to be shared.

Speaker A

Just like we did in the 20th century, you know, when we had the largest middle class in the world after the after the Second World War, we grew together as a country, and it was the greatest economic prosperity

Speaker A

we've experienced as a nation. Um and it was because wealthy people and corporations felt a responsibility to their fellow citizens.

Speaker A

You know, I I think about um the great American companies, GM, GE, they had a they had a more expansive definition of shareholder.

Speaker A

Right? It was the shareholders weren't just the people who who owned stocks in the company. It was the workers, the families of those workers, the customers, the community members, right? The nation.

Speaker A

And so, there was a sense of civic There was a sense of corporate citizenship.

Speaker A

Mhm. And I feel like over 50 years of trickle-down economics, all that has gone out the window. Now, it is all just what can I do for me, for our bottom line, for my very narrowly defined shareholders, um

Speaker A

and screw everybody else. And and because those very wealthy people have bought politicians to help them rewrite these rules of the road, all the wealth that's been created over the last 50 years has gone to the top 1%

Speaker A

and none of it is shared by the people who actually created that wealth. Mhm.

Speaker A

Right? The people who made it possible. So, all I'm advocating for, I'm not trying to demonize billionaires.

Speaker A

I feel like I'm trying to humanize billionaires. In fact, I'm trying to get us to see each other as part of one nation, one community, to love our neighbors.

Speaker A

Mhm. And hoarding a trillion dollars to yourself, more money than you could spend in a hundred lifetimes, Mhm.

Speaker A

that is not love. And, you know, our faith traditions warn us about concentrated wealth and power and the danger of that. And so, I'm trying to I think in this campaign, bring us back to a point as a country where

Speaker A

we are growing and thriving together as one community, rather than just the folks at the very top, but at our expense.

Speaker A

And you think your fight to end corruption in government will bring it back to a place where you're like, "Great, the American dream is live and well. Everyone can go for it. You can, you know, become a millionaire or a

Speaker A

billionaire, but pay your taxes. Don't be in a situation where, oh, you're a billionaire and you're not paying taxes, but oh, you're making 40,000 a year as a teacher and you're paying a whole bunch of taxes." That's right.

Speaker A

And that It make sense. That's right. And you're trying to get it back to what's fair, but you're still pro American dream, become successful, build it.

Speaker A

That's right. Yeah. Absolutely. And And that's those two things are very much linked together.

Speaker A

Yeah. Um that American dream is is one that's only possible if we have an economy, if we have an a government that works for all of us, not just the people at the very top.

Speaker A

Um you know, the average Texan pays about 14% of their income in federal income taxes.

Speaker A

The 400 wealthiest Americans pay half that. As a percentage. You know, I'm not talking about the raw number. I'm talking about as a percent of their income.

Speaker A

And that just seems completely backwards to me. Uh I think it seems backwards to to everybody.

Speaker A

And so I think we have to rewrite the rules um of this economy. We have to reform this political system so that we can start to grow together again um and revitalize that American dream so that more people can can realize and fulfill

Speaker A

their God-given potential. It's wild how there's so many corporations that are making just phenomenal amounts of money, barely paying any taxes if any, and then they have employees that literally can't make enough money. They're having to apply for assistance while working there.

Speaker A

And so that means you and I are subsidizing that corporation's bottom line. Because if if I'm if I'm putting my hard-earned taxes into Medicaid to cover employees at Walmart, Yeah.

Speaker A

that means that I am subsidizing Walmart's profit margins. And I just nothing against Walmart. I shop at Walmart. I have no I've I think my problem is that the most powerful people, the wealthiest people, um need to step up and do their fair share.

Speaker A

And a lot of them do, which is great. But I think it can't just be uh can't just be the honor system anymore.

Speaker A

Um we've got to close these loopholes. We got to crack down on tax cheats, um, and ensure that we are growing again together as a country and that everyone feels a sense of patriotism, economic patriotism, a sense of citizenship, um,

Speaker A

and um and recognizes, you know, what they owe to this country. Because, you know, even though successful people, um, were able to do it because they had people supporting them, they had schools educating them, they had infrastructure, they had roads to drive on to move their

Speaker A

products. Like it was, you know, it was a partnership between that entrepreneur, their dream, their grit, their hard work, and a community that fosters it and makes it possible.

Speaker A

And so then there's a relationship between those two things, um, and that relationship has been severed, um, over the last 50 years.

Speaker A

I think it's so powerful when you talk in real people language to real people.

Speaker A

And I think for decades people have heard, "Oh, corporate loopholes." And this, but they haven't actually understood that if you don't end corruption in government, just how it impacts the fact that you cannot afford your rent, you can't have I mean, and

Speaker A

the amount of taxes people are paying that it's just, yeah, so I think that, um, I think people are understanding why a lot of terms you would hear in the political world before but not really understand how they impact you.

Speaker A

Yeah. Like a lot of people are understanding how they're impacting them right now. And I think that's another reason people are really, um resonating Yeah.

Speaker A

with the stuff that you're talking about. I want to talk about crime. Because crime is a big issue for a whole lot of people. And, you know, you're so, you're so passionate about love your neighbor, all of our neighbors. What if

Speaker A

your neighbor is a criminal? [laughter] And what is your plan to reduce crime? Yeah, um, I think public safety is the most important thing the government does.

Speaker A

And again, I'm a former teacher, so like public education is my passion, but I think public safety comes before everything. Because if you're not safe, if you don't have a safe neighborhood, um if you're not secure in your home, if

Speaker A

your family's not secure, it's really hard to care about anything else. And so, we have to have policies that ensure public safety. If someone calls 911, a professional needs to answer that call and show up immediately. Um people need

Speaker A

to feel safe in their neighborhoods, uh they need to feel safe in their homes, and um and I have a record in the state legislature of supporting policies that um that promote public safety, supporting law enforcement, um uh uh

Speaker A

supporting border security, um because I take public safety so seriously. Um And and I do believe that's a part of loving thy neighbor. Wanting security and safety for your neighbors is how you show love.

Speaker A

And if a neighbor threatens that security, then that person needs to be kept away from others um for their own benefit, um because you don't want them hurting other people. Um At the same time, in our justice system,

Speaker A

we have to be focused on rehabilitation whenever possible. Um I think those two things those two things are not mutually exclusive.

Speaker A

Um you can both ensure that violent criminals are locked up and be fighting for rehabilitation programs that can help people get back on their feet when that's possible. And I've fought for both those policies uh at the state capital.

Speaker A

Fought to have resources to crack down on crime and fought for justice reforms to ensure that we are rehabilitating um more inmates than we are now.

Speaker A

I'm thinking about how I was watching a video of you talking about crime on YouTube, and the first thing I noticed, by the way, is all these other politicians' ads popping up that are like literally bidding their ads, or

Speaker A

their their teams are, their campaigns are, on any video you're on right now. And just to change the subject for a minute, I think this is fascinating because you're one of the most widely requested guests in the history of our show. So many people have

Speaker A

requested to have you on. A lot of people are talking about you everywhere. But in the research for our interview, I felt like every video I pulled up on YouTube, there was other politicians' ads on your video, which I think is is a

Speaker A

huge compliment. And you're right. I I mean, I think that it's it's it's just an interesting moment right now. And I think, you know, anyone who's maybe listening to us right now on a podcast app, uh try this. Go to YouTube.

Speaker A

Watch this interview on YouTube. Watch what ads pop up for you. Like seriously, just right now, it's fascinating.

Speaker A

It's fascinating the attention that you're getting. Um and it's not just across Texas. Uh it's everywhere, but I do want to ask you about Texas.

Speaker A

Yeah. Because we are days away from knowing who you're going to face in the Texas US Senate race in November. So you'll be facing either incumbent Senator John Cornyn, who's a 74-year-old who's been in the seat for 24 years, which you

Speaker A

talked about 80-year-olds earlier. [laughter] If uh he would be 80 Do you want to know a fun fact? Uh John Cornyn was first elected to public office 6 years before I was born.

Speaker A

Wow. Yeah. So Yeah, he's uh he's been there for a while. [laughter] Uh or Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a 63-year-old who's been embroiled in a lot of scandals and lawsuits for many years, including having been impeached and later acquitted. I'd love to hear

Speaker A

your thoughts on both possible opponents, starting with John Cornyn. Well, so I actually don't think it matters who comes out of this runoff because we already know who we're running against.

Speaker A

We're running against those billionaire mega donors who have corrupted our political system and have rigged the rules of this economy. This movement we're building is a lot bigger than any one politician in my mind.

Speaker A

[clears throat] Yeah. Um whether it's Cornyn or Paxton, whether it's President Trump, like it's bigger than any of those personalities cuz we're we're trying to go after the system itself.

Speaker A

Right? That's producing the kind of corruption that you see from Ken Paxton or John Cornyn.

Speaker A

Um because both of them have really forfeited their right to represent all of us in the US Senate. Um both of them have sold us out time and time again. Um Ken Paxton's crimes are well known. Um I

Speaker A

was part of the bipartisan majority in the Texas House that voted to impeach our corrupt attorney general. Um so I know his crimes better than most people do.

Speaker A

But I would say that John Cornyn is even more corrupt than Ken Paxton. Which is surprising. I prob- you know, I don't know if people are going to believe me when I say that, but John Cornyn was the deciding vote on

Speaker A

that big ugly bill last year that people may remember. It's a bill that is going to kick millions of Texans off their health care.

Speaker A

It's going to take food out of the mouths of hungry Texas children all to give yet another tax break to John Cornyn's billionaire mega donors.

Speaker A

And Ken Paxton was impeached for using his public office to enrich his donors in a very literal, illegal way.

Speaker A

But John Cornyn at a massive scale is using his public office to enrich his donors.

Speaker A

So to me it's it's two sides of the same corrupt coin. And and I think it's the kind of politics that people are sick of uh on both sides of the aisle. And um and I think that's what's motivating

Speaker A

this movement. It's really not about them as individuals, them as as as individual lawmakers. It is them as as symptoms of a of a sick system.

Speaker A

I'm shocked to hear you say that. I think a lot of people would be surprised Yeah.

Speaker A

that you just said who you feel is more corrupt. But what you're saying also is it doesn't matter.

Speaker A

It doesn't matter who you're going to be up against. Cuz we're running against that corruption.

Speaker A

Yeah. And whether it's uh takes the Ken Paxton form, which is an illegal um kind of individualistic corruption or if it's John Cornyn, which is a legalized systemic form of corruption.

Speaker A

Um both are I think are grotesque in a in a democracy. Um but we're going to be running against that corruption regardless of what form it takes in a um in a Republican opponent.

Speaker A

Joe Rogan and many others are already calling for you to run for president. I know you're focused on the US Senate right now, but I have to ask you the question. Will you one day run for president?

Speaker A

I This conversation with James Talarico so incredible we made it into multiple parts. From where James stands on issues you care about most to answering all the questions you wrote in to ask him, he is truly opening up like never before. And

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one thing I can promise you, you'll leave part two feeling hopeful and inspired. You are not going to want to miss this incredible part two of our conversation with James [music] Talarico coming up in the next episode of the

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Jamie Kern Lima Show. Remember this episode's not just for you and me. Please share this with every single person that you know because it can impact and change their life, too. And if you loved today's episode, please click the follow or subscribe button for

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And if it added value to your life, if you could please give it a rating or review, I love a great five-star. We'd be so, so grateful. And just share it with everyone you believe in. Maybe it's another person in your life who could

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who just might need the words and tools and lessons in this episode today. You never know whose life you're meant to change today by sharing this episode.

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And thank you so much for joining me. Before you go, I want to share some words with you that couldn't be more true. You, right now, exactly as you are, are enough and fully worthy. You're worthy of your greatest hopes, of your

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wildest dreams, and of all the unconditional love in the world. And it's an honor to welcome you to each and every episode of the Jamie Kern Lima Show. Here, I hope you'll come as you are, heal where you need, blossom what

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you choose, journey toward your calling, and stay as long as you'd like because you belong here.

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You are worthy. You are loved. You are love. And I love you. And I cannot wait to join you on the next episode of the Jamie Kern Lima Show.

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In life, you don't soar to the level of your hopes and dreams, you stay stuck at the level of your self-worth. When you build your self-worth, you change your entire life. And that's exactly why I wrote my new book, Worthy: How to

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Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life for you. If you have some self-doubt to destroy and a destiny to fulfill, Worthy is for you.

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In Worthy, you'll learn proven tools and simple steps that bring life-changing results, like how to get unstuck from the things holding you back, build unshakeable self-love, unlearn the lies that lead to self-doubt, and embrace the truths that wake up worthiness,

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Imagine a life with zero self-doubt and unshakeable self-worth. Get your copy of Worthy plus some amazing thank you bonus gifts for you at worthybook.com or the link in the show notes below.

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Who you spend time around is so important as energy is contagious, and so is self-belief. And I'd love to hang out with you even more, especially if you could use an extra dose of inspiration, which is exactly why I've

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created my free weekly newsletter that's also a love letter to you, delivered straight to your inbox from me. If you haven't signed up to make sure that you get it each week, just go to jamiekernlima.com to make sure you're on

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Subscribe at jamiekernlima.com or in the link in the show notes. And please note, I'm not a licensed therapist and this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified

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Topics:James TalaricoTexas politicsUS Senate campaignChristian nationalismpolitical corruptiongrassroots movementbipartisan cooperationeconomic inequalityJamie Kern Lima Showinspirational politics

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