U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico opens up about his girlfriend on podcast

State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, speaks during a campaign event in San Antonio. Credit: Michael Karlis

State Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for Texas’ contested U.S. Senate seat, got personal during a Thursday appearance on the Jamie Kern Lima podcast.

When asked by Lima, a New York Times best-selling author and co-founder of IT Cosmetics, whether he has a girlfriend, the Austin politician revealed he did. The question comes as online trolls have repeatedly questioned his sexuality.

“She is my rock. She is my best friend,” Talarico told the podcaster. “I don’t know if I could have gotten through the last six months of this crazy race if she hadn’t been by my side.”

Talarico’s campaign said he met his girlfriend when she was the Chief of Staff in his Texas House legislative office, and that they’ve been together for four years.

“We became best friends, and then we fell in love, and we’ve been together ever since,” he added.

Talaricio’s campaign asked the Current not to publish the woman’s name out of fear for her safety.

“What I’m trying to do is protect her and my family and my friends from the impacts of this race,” Talarico said on the podcast. “I signed up to run for the U.S. Senate; obviously, they did not. So, I’m trying to balance running this race while also protecting them, and protecting her in particular.”

Talarico’s response makes sense, considering Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s spiritual advisor, Brooks Potteiger, tweeted in March that he wanted the Texas Democrat to be “crucified with Christ.”

“I always try to remind myself that every single person that I come across is a child of God,” Talarico said. “Including someone who is praying for my death.”

As Lima and Talarico discussed his relationship, he also said he plans to become a father in the near future. He touched on his relationship with his niece Jane, his sister’s daughter.

“Being around Jane and my sister and brother-in-law as they embark on this adventure of parenthood, it has definitely confirmed in me that that’s something I want to do,” Talarico said. “I’ve just seen how it’s changed my sister and brother-in-law for the better. I mean, they’re sleep-deprived and stressed out and exhausted. But their hearts seem to be so much bigger now.”

Talarico will find out whether he will take on Attorney General Ken Paxton or U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the general election following the May 26 GOP runoff.

Talarico leads either candidate by between 3% and 5%, according to polling from Texas Public Opinion Research, released late last month.

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