Getting Political

The November election is about three and a half months from now. It is getting political. Here is from a Chron story on State Rep. James Talarico visiting H-Town yesterday:

State Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. senator from Texas, was about to answer the final question of a town hall in southwest Houston on Sunday when 50-year-old Kandice Webber stood up.

“Our people don’t trust you for this reason,” said Webber, who is Black, after the crowd quieted to listen. “And you cannot win without us. So you stay here, you answer our questions, or you suffer the consequences.”

Talarico turned his attention to her and attempted to cool the tension: “I appreciate you being here, and I appreciate you traveling in and I appreciate you—”

“I came for my people, not for you,” she said.

The crowd murmured. 

“It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright,” Talarico said. “This is what this conversation is supposed to be about.”

He turned to answer more questions and push the event longer, but Webber stayed standing, visibly disappointed.

She hadn’t asked her question and wanted to hear Talarico address her concerns about Teach for America’s effect on public education funding. Talarico formerly taught at a public San Antonio middle school through Teach for America and has characterized public education as a core driver of his political career.

The moment underscored the passion and a keen sense of urgency inside a packed room at the Kingdom Builders Center, where hundreds of prospective voters turned out to listen to Talarico on Sunday afternoon. Talarico is in a tight race, if recent polls are correct, with Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — a race in which Talarico wants to be the first Democrat elected to statewide Texas office in more than 30 years.

The room greeted him with a standing ovation full of cheers after introductions from U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee, State Rep. Lauren Ashley Simmons and Houston City Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum. The crowd chanted “Take back Texas” as they hoisted campaign signs.

For more than 90 minutes on Sunday, Talarico fielded questions about preserving voter rights, protecting Black farmers, supporting Black candidates and standing up for key issues in the U.S. Senate, from public education funding to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Here is the entire Chron read: James Talarico has spirited exchange during Houston campaign stop.

It sure would be nice if Cong. Jasmine Crockett would do a few campaign events with Talarico. It would quiet all this BS. I sure hope the campaign folks and higher up are working on this. There is a lot at stake. Handle it, please. Or should I say, pretty please.

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Now see this from the Chron:

In the closely watched race for Harris County judge, Republican nominee Orlando Sanchez outraised his Democratic opponent, Letitia Plummer, by roughly $35,000 from May 17 to June 30, according to campaign finance reports. 

The July 15 filings are the first to be published since the May primary runoffs, and the pair have only just begun to turn their attention to November. But their campaigns have received renewed attention from donors: Both candidates received more contributions in the recent six-week reporting period than in the last six months of 2025.

Both parties’ contests this spring ended with runoff elections. Plummer delivered a narrow upset to former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, while Sanchez cruised to victory over businessman Warren Howell. Incumbent Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is not seeking re-election.

The new reports show Sanchez brought about $181,100 during the period and spent about $66,300. Plummer collected about $145,900 and spent about $70,500.

Sanchez had $132,680 on hand as of June 30, and had an outstanding loan from himself for $234,513. Plummer finished with $70,161 and an outstanding loan of $45,000. 

As you well know, the Harris County Judge race is way down the ballot. You need a lot more money to wage a serious countywide campaign. It looks like what happens at the top of the ballot in Harris County will determine the winner of the Harris County Judge race. Major advantage to Plummer for sure.

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I picked up the lapel pins in featured photo this past weekend. A season ticket holder exclusive., That is Carlos Correa and Yordan Alvarez on the top row and Jeremy Peña and Jose Altvue on the bottom row. Cool.

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I was at the game on Saturday afternoon. Both Jeremy Peña and Christian Walker were removed from the game due to injuries sustained while swinging during at-bats. Freaky if you ask me. We could not get it done in the bottom of the 10th. Extremely frustrating. I don’t know what else I can say.

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