Talarico leans into tougher messaging in Texas Senate campaign

Texas Democrat James Talarico has launched his general election campaign for the U.S. Senate.

He spoke to a crowd of supporters Wednesday night in Houston and framed his Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, as part of a corrupt political establishment that uses power to serve itself rather than the people.

He has given Democrats their best chance of winning the Texas Senate race in years and boosting their chances to retake control of the U.S. Senate in November.

It was a stark pivot from the more sunny, spiritual theme of Talarico’s Democratic primary campaign.

Paxton was impeached over corruption allegations by his fellow Republicans in the state legislature, but ultimately acquitted.