Texas Senate Candidate Talarico Faces Scrutiny Over Border Security Votes

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico is under renewed scrutiny for his voting record on border security in the Texas House, as Republican opponent Ken Paxton and conservative analysts question his commitment to tightening the southern border.

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The race highlights a sharp divide over how to address border security, with Talarico's legislative record at odds with his campaign rhetoric and proposals.

Talarico, who has served in the Texas House since 2018, has frequently voted against major border security bills, including measures to fund border barriers, expand law enforcement authority, and create new criminal penalties related to illegal entry. During the 86th Legislative Session, Talarico voted against House Bill 888, which allowed for the arrest and prosecution of individuals misrepresenting a child as a family member. In the 87th session, he opposed House Bill 9, which appropriated $1.8 billion for border security, including $750 million for additional border barriers and $450 million to increase the Texas National Guard and law enforcement presence at the border.

Talarico's Votes on Border Security

In the 88th Legislative Session, Talarico voted against House Bill 7, which established a Texas Border Protection Unit and funded border security infrastructure. He also voted against Senate Bill 602, expanding Border Patrol’s authority to arrest individuals accused of state crimes, and Senate Bill 1403, which authorized interstate cooperation for defensive border infrastructure. Talarico was absent for the vote on House Bill 6, which increased penalties for human smuggling and allocated funds for border barriers.

Opposition to Recent Border Legislation

During a fourth called session of the 88th Legislature, Talarico voted against Senate Bill 3, which funded construction and maintenance of border barriers and increased law enforcement costs, and Senate Bill 4, which made unauthorized entry into Texas from a foreign nation a state crime. He also opposed House Bill 4, which prohibited illegal entry or presence in Texas and created new enforcement provisions and criminal offenses.

Talarico has defended his opposition to these measures, arguing that they fail to address the root causes of border issues. He criticized House Bill 4, stating, "We have real problems on our southern border, but this bill doesn’t provide any real solutions. Instead, this legislation doubled down on those same dangerous border stunts."

"This bill doesn’t reform our asylum system, it doesn’t establish a guest worker program, it doesn’t relieve the visa backlog. It doesn’t modernize our ports of entry where 93% of the fentanyl gets in. But why work on solutions when you can score points off the problem? Trapping migrants in razor wire makes for much better TV. Texans deserve solutions, not stunts."

— James Talarico, Texas House member

Despite his opposition to several enforcement-focused bills, Talarico authored House Bill 5328, which would require the installation of advanced x-ray inspection technology at Texas-Mexico border crossings to improve commercial vehicle inspections. The bill, introduced in the 89th Legislature, directs the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation to coordinate with federal agencies on this technology, aiming to streamline and secure border commerce.

Talarico's campaign website states his support for strengthening border security, law enforcement response, and border infrastructure. During a Democratic Senate primary debate, he described his vision for the border as "like our front porch. There should be a giant welcome mat out front and a lock on the door."

Critics, including Todd Bensman of The Heritage Foundation, argue that Talarico's public statements mask a policy approach that would ease restrictions and expand catch-and-release practices. Bensman told The Daily Signal that Talarico supports expedited asylum processing and allowing non-criminal border crossers to remain in the U.S., saying, "He’s proposing that we have expedited asylum-claim processing for people that cross the border so that, theoretically, those who are declined would be deported."

Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton has called Talarico a "hypocrite" on border security, stating, "James Talarico has a long streak of lying to voters, but the truth is, no one, not a soul, looks at James Talarico and thinks, ‘Now there’s a guy who will be tough on the cartel.’"

Talarico has missed more than 800 votes in the Texas House between May 2019 and May 2025, according to legislative records. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment from The Daily Signal by publication time.

The debate over Talarico’s record comes as Texas lawmakers and candidates continue to clash over the best approach to border security, with enforcement, infrastructure, and technology all at the center of legislative and campaign battles.