Democratic US Senate nominee James Talarico (D) began his “The People vs. Ken Paxton” tour in midtown Houston on Wednesday night, telling supporters he plans to make political corruption a central issue in his campaign.
“I have a legislative record. Ken Paxton has a criminal record,” Talarico said, drawing applause from the packed venue.
Before Talarico took the stage, Texas State Rep. Ann Johnson addressed the crowd, saying many Texans feel worn down by corruption and chaos.
“We are here tonight because the truth is, Texans, we are exhausted,” she said. “We are here to tell every day Texans ready to show up in November that we are exhausted by the Republican anger, we are exhausted by the Republican corruption, and we are exhausted by politicians who will tell us to look at the increasing stock market on Wall Street and be happy even though we can’t pay for our gas, our groceries, our housing and our utility bills.”
Johnson said voters are “ready for honesty and decency” and want leaders who “put people first.”
“We the people are here tonight to let them know that we are done with the chaos,” Johnson added. “We are ready for honesty and decency. And we want leaders who actually will serve to ensure that each of us has a better opportunity to afford to live and raise our children in a welcoming state. That is a Texas that James Talarico believes in. And we are here tonight because we choose a government of integrity over corruption. We choose service over self‑interest, and we choose people over politics.”
Talarico outlined an anti‑corruption package he said would be his first priority if elected in November. His proposals include banning members of Congress from trading stocks, imposing term limits, overhauling the Supreme Court, and creating a national ban on gerrymandering.
He criticized his opponent Ken Paxton, pointing to Paxton’s long record of corruption while Texas attorney general, including impeachment by fellow Republicans three years ago. Talarico accused Paxton of putting personal and donor interests ahead of Texans, citing increases in Paxton’s net worth by 7,000% during his time in office. He also scrutinized Paxton’s property holdings, which, Talarico says, includes ten homes.
“Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in America, and he belongs nowhere close to the United States Senate. Three years ago today, Ken Paxton was impeached by his own party for using his public office, his position of public trust, to enrich himself and his donors at our expense,” said Talarico. “Ken Paxton is morally unfit for office. He has failed the character test. He’ll lie to you with a straight face.”
Talarico’s tour is scheduled to continue with stops in Nacogdoches, San Antonio, Leander, and Plano.
