State Representative James Talarico speaks with moderator Matthew Watkins, editor-in-chief of The Texas Tribune, about his race for U.S. Senate in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church for The Texas Tribune Festival on Thursday, Sept. 24. Talarico discussed his vision as a Democratic Senator for the state of Texas and his opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The Texas Tribune Festival was held in downtown Austin Sept. 24-26. Politicians, journalists and authors from around Texas and the nation flooded the Texas capital for one-on-one conversations and group panels addressing some of the biggest issues of the day, including higher education, democracy and the 2026 midterm elections.
