Former Teacher James Talarico Of Round Rock Announces State Representative Seat Run

ROUND ROCK, TX — Former schoolteacher James Talarico has announced his candidacy for the State Representative seat in House District 52.

A Round Rock native, Talarico currently serves as the executive director of Reasoning Mind, an education nonprofit that provides innovative technology to thousands of students in Central Texas, including Williamson County. A graduate of McNeil High School in Round Rock ISD, Talarico earned his bachelor’s degree in government from The University of Texas at Austin and his master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University.

Following Rep. Larry Gonzales’ recent retirement announcement, the changing demographics in this suburban area have yielded HD-52 as something of a bellwether for Texans’ shifting political attitudes in the Trump era, Talarico noted. Donald Trump won HD-52 by a mere 1 percentage point in November, the candidate added.

Talarico expressed gratitude for the strong support from local Democrats and is said he would also be reaching out to Rep. Gonzales and other Republican leaders in the community.

“I want to thank Rep. Gonzales for his service," Talarico, a Democrat, said in a prepared statement. "We do not agree on every issue, but I’m grateful to him and his family for their commitment to our community. With his departure, we have one less person who is willing to reach across the political aisle to get things done.”

The candidate has already garnered endorsement from virtually every Democratic elected official and precinct chair in the district, including Williamson County Commissioner Terry Cook and Round Rock City Councilwoman Tammy Young.

“Extremists at our state Capitol care more about scoring political points than helping families get ahead," Talarico said. "I am running for state representative to bring together people of different backgrounds and beliefs to give Williamson County families a responsible state government that puts people over politics.”

Visit jamestalarico.com for more information. The campaign will host a formal kickoff event in a few weeks. Talarico previously discussed the race tonight via Facebook Live on the campaign Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/talaricoforstaterep/.

Among those endorsing his candidacy:

• Terry Cook, Williamson County commissioner;
• Tammy Young, Round Rock city councilwoman;
• Jimmy Flannigan, Austin city councilman;
• Sean Hassan, Austin Community College trustee;
• Julie Ann Nitsch, Austin Community College trustee;
• Jose Orta, 1st Vice Chair, Williamson County Democratic Party;
• Paul Stempko, 2nd Vice Chair, Williamson County Democratic Party;
• Kim Gilby, secretary, Williamson County Democratic Party;
• Stuart Litwin, chair, Round Rock Democrats;
• Carol Meissner, chair, East Williamson County Democrats;
• Molly Bucy, Chair, Pct. 189;
• Hilda Montgomery, Chair, Pct. 119;
• Robin Derton, Chair, Pct. 135;
• Earl White, Chair, Pct. 145;
• Tracy McLain, Chair, Pct. 149;
• Blane Conklin, Chair, Pct. 150;
• Nicola Huggins, Chair, Pct. 172;
• Rachel Fox, Chair, Pct. 182;
• Sharon Cummings, Chair, Pct. 332;
• David McCaleb, Chair, Pct. 333;
• Jim Jones, Chair, Pct. 337;
• Chris Harris, Chair, Pct. 339;
• Patty Eason, Chair, Pct. 368;
• Becca Tyler, Chair, Pct. 420;
• Stacey Hackenberg, Chair, Pct. 423;
• Wanda Griffin, Chair, Pct. 424;
• Brandie Henderson, Chair, Pct. 455;
• Tammy Conrad, Chair, Pct. 480.

>>> Photos of James Talarico courtesy of the candidate