AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, officially announced his run for the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning, becoming the third Democrat and sixth candidate vying for the statewide position.

Talarico, a former middle school teacher, has been vocal in the Texas House of Representatives about issues concerning education and religion. The four-term state representative was critical of Gov. Greg Abbott's push to create an education savings account in Texas, a program that gives families public dollars to send their kids to private schools.

The state representative also participated in the Texas House Democrats' quorum break during the first special session of 2025.

In his Tuesday announcement, the 36-year-old Talarico said he wants to "take power back for working people.

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