Send us Fan Mail Texas politics is full of big promises, but Texans are living with very real consequences: underfunded schools, crushing health care bills, rising housing costs, and a political system that feels like it works best for the wealthy and well-connected. We sit down with Representative Talarico, who says he may be one of the least-known candidates in the race, but he’s determined to earn trust the only way that lasts: by showing up, listening, and pointing to what he’s already done. He speaks directly to Black women and Black voters across the state, arguing that no Democrat can win Texas statewide without respecting those voters year-round, not just right before Election Day. We dig into his background as a former middle school teacher and what chronic underfunding looks like on the ground, from overcrowded classrooms to shortages that push districts toward fast-track certifications. He explains why he fights school voucher plans, what fully funding public education should mean, and why teacher pay has to match the responsibility of the job. From there, we get into Gen Z frustration with “politics as blood sport” and his bet that voters are ready for system-level political reform: campaign finance reform that bans super PACs, anti-gerrymandering rules for fair elections, term limits, and a ban on members of Congress trading individual stocks. Health care is personal. As a type 1 diabetic, Talarico connects insulin prices and premium hikes to a broader push for universal health care through a Medicare buy-in, and we talk about how coverage gaps drive costs back onto families. We also cover the cost-of-living issues Texans feel most: rent, child care, groceries, and prescription drugs. And on immigration, he lays out a border security approach that he says must include humanity and strong oversight, including investigations into ICE abuses and rules that end masked operations that terrorize communities of color. If you care about the Texas Senate race, the Democratic primary, public education, Medicare, campaign finance reform, and what it takes to earn trust with receipts, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review with the single issue you want to see tackled first. About The Tashara Parker Show The Tashara Parker Show is where culture, curiosity and meaningful conversation meet. Hosted by 5X Emmy-winning journalist, creator and speaker Tashara Parker, the show goes beyond the headlines to explore the people, ideas and experiences shaping how we live, lead and see the world. Drawing on more than a decade of journalism and interviewing experience, Tashara brings her signature warmth, preparation and unapologetic honesty to every conversation. From cultural news and social issues to leadership, entrepreneurship, personal transformation and the stories behind the people making an impact, each episode is designed to leave audiences more informed, more inspired and thinking a little deeper. This is not conversation for conversation’s sake. Guests bring lived experience, demonstrated expertise and perspectives that can teach us something, challenge what we think we know and help move the culture forward. Because the best stories do more than entertain us. They help us understand one another—and ourselves—a little more clearly. New episodes of The Tashara Parker Show are released weekly. Subscribe to Tashara Parker on YouTube Follow The Tashara Parker Show on INSTAGRAM Follow the show on ...
