Democrat James Talarico has won Texas’ U.S. Senate race, defeating Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and becoming the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since 1988. Talarico has publicly backed nationwide marijuana legalization and said he hopes to work with President Donald Trump to make it happen.
Talarico, a state representative from Austin, will replace retiring Republican Senator John Cornyn, who lost the Republican primary runoff to Paxton earlier this year. His victory also marks the first time a Democrat has won a statewide election in Texas since 1994.
Marijuana reform was among the issues Talarico addressed during his campaign. In an October 20 interview with MS NOW, Talarico discussed areas where he believed cooperation with Trump could produce results, specifically identifying federal marijuana legalization and criminal justice reform.
“He’s for legalizing marijuana, and so am I,” Talarico said, referring to Trump. “I hope we can do that together.”
Talarico also expressed support for expunging marijuana-related criminal records, arguing that people should not remain incarcerated for marijuana offenses that do not harm others.
In an October questionnaire published by The Texas Tribune, Talarico was equally direct about his position on legalization.
“Like prohibition, bans don’t work,” Talarico said. “Texans aren’t going to stop smoking weed because politicians in Austin or D.C. told them not to.”
He argued that marijuana prohibition pushes consumers toward unregulated markets rather than licensed businesses, while pointing to people who use THC to manage anxiety, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“In the Senate, I’ll support legalizing marijuana for adults,” Talarico said, adding that he supports regulating and taxing marijuana sales to fund public safety and health programs.
His position contrasts with that of Paxton, who has challenged local marijuana decriminalization policies in Texas. As attorney general, Paxton sued cities that adopted ordinances limiting arrests and prosecutions for low-level marijuana possession.
Talarico’s willingness to work with Trump on marijuana reform is particularly notable given the president’s ongoing efforts to reschedule medical marijuana. Although Trump has supported federal reforms involving medical marijuana, his administration has not committed to nationwide recreational legalization, which would require additional federal action.
Talarico will take office in January 2027, adding a supporter of nationwide marijuana legalization to the U.S. Senate at a time when federal cannabis policy remains a major issue in Washington.
