How Former Theater Kid James Talarico Stands Up for the Arts in Texas
As Republicans exert an ever-tightening grip on creative freedom in the state, the Democratic Senate hopeful stands out for his track record on arts funding.
Every United States election season, a few candidates capture national attention. This year, one of those names is Democrat James Talarico, who is running for Senate against Republican Ken Paxton. A former theater kid turned language arts teacher now serving his fourth term in the Texas House of Representatives, Talarico would become the first Democrat elected US Senator since the 1980s if he wins.
Talarico has largely built his platform tackling education, a tough battle in a state that has seen eight school district takeovers since 2020. Among the bills he has co-authored is one that focuses on fine arts funding for public schools. Over the past years, the Texas arts scene has sat at the nexus between funding cuts and censorship.
First brought up in 2023 and subsequently reintroduced in 2025, the bill would have been the first of its kind in Texas, had it passed.
“This means hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding for music, dance, art, and theater programs! It’s a game changer,” Talarico, who has an endorsement from the Actors’ Equity Association, wrote on X in 2023. Hyperallergic has contacted Talarico’s campaign for comment.
Before earning his degrees in government and education, Talarico participated in his high school’s theater program, playing two leading roles: Dannie Zuko in Grease and Aslan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
“Research shows fine arts programs improve student achievement, graduation rates, and mental health,” Talarico continued in his post. “I know it did for me when I was growing up.”
Austin-based artist Jean-Pierre Verdijo told Hyperallergic that he’s intrigued by Talarico’s overall message, which he views as focused on fair governance as opposed to fighting another party.
