Obama enters Texas Senate fight with support for Talarico

Former President Barack Obama appeared with James Talarico in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, aiming to boost the rising Democrat star in his uphill bid to flip a US Senate seat in the reliably Republican state.

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The appearance, at a restaurant across from the University of Texas, was part of Obama’s effort to elevate a new generation of Democratic leaders as the party heads into the 2026 midterms, a highly competitive year for control of the US House and, potentially, for the US Senate.

Obama arrived at the restaurant, Taco Joint, and met with Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative challenging Greg Abbott, who is running for a fourth term as governor.

“Do you know our outstanding next governor and senator?” Obama said as he went from table to table introducing himself to patrons who appeared to be fans of the former president — some shocked to see him — and members of Talarico’s staff and immediate family.

Talarico, 36, a state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, has been building a national profile for his combination of progressive politics and vocal Christian faith. Hinojosa is facing long odds against the incumbent, who has already amassed a campaign war chest of nearly $100 million.

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Tuesday’s event echoed a recent appearance by Obama with Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a childcare center in New York last month. But whereas that event came after Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, had been in office more than three months, the appearance of Obama with Talarico and Hinojosa, 52, came amid what is likely to be a hard-fought and expensive election battle until November.

The candidates and Obama spent around 30 minutes making small talk and posing for photos. Mostly, the diners wanted to meet and pose for cellphone photos with Obama. Talarico took a few pictures.

The event stopped short of a formal endorsement.

“Remember to vote,” Obama called as he walked out with a bag that included two street tacos and one mole.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times.