U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico sprints to the stage before speaking at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

Attendees react to U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico speak at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

Attendees line up to take photos with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico after his speach at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

Politicians aren't always the best listeners, but James Talarico wants Black voters to know he's listening.

The Texas Demoratic nominee for U.S. Senate has been actively courting Black voters since he heard he needs to do more to earn their votes. It wasn't enough that he won the primary over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. He had to gain their trust. 

And, it seems, Talarico has learned a key lesson, too. 

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To get the Black vote, you need the Black church — and it's best not to wait until the week before the election. 

In June, I wrote that Talarico's mid-afternoon campaign stop at Mikki's Soul Food Cafe in Third Ward missed both the mark and the lunch crowd. The next month he spoke at a town hall in Southwest Houston and faced a barrage of questions from some frustrated Houstonians who met him with skeptical glances. 

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This time is different.

Talarico seems quite intentional about investing in the time, effort and money to engage Black voters face-to-face on their home turf, especially where they worship. That kind of direct engagement will go a long way in building trust and allegiances in the Black community. 

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TO HOUSTON, WITH........

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