Whoa! He just spilled the beans and Democrats won’t like it.
Texas Democratic rising star James Talarico is distancing himself from former President Joe Biden’s border record, admitting that national Democrats failed to take the southern border crisis seriously.
Talarico, who is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat, acknowledged that the Democratic Party made a major mistake by neglecting border security during the Biden administration.
His unusually blunt criticism could create new problems for Democrats attempting to regain support among Texas border communities, working-class families and Hispanic voters.
Democrat Admits Biden Failed at the Southern Border
During a Thursday television interview, Talarico was asked whether Democrats failed to focus sufficiently on border security between 2021 and 2023.
“Absolutely,” he responded.
Talarico said he has publicly criticized Biden and his administration for failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. He recalled speaking with Texas lawmakers whose districts experienced the consequences of the immigration crisis firsthand.
Those representatives reportedly described serious disorder in communities along the southern border.
Talarico called the situation unacceptable, saying it demonstrated how the federal government had failed the American people.
The admission is significant because Democratic leaders spent years defending Biden’s immigration policies while Republicans warned about illegal border crossings, overwhelmed law enforcement agencies and growing pressure on local resources.
National Democrats “Took the Border for Granted”
Talarico also conceded that national Democrats neglected communities across South Texas.
“National Democrats took the border for granted,” he said, adding that party leaders stopped showing up and listening to residents.
That political absence apparently came at a considerable cost.
Several historically Democratic counties near the southern border shifted toward Republicans during the 2024 election. Hispanic and working-class voters increasingly considered GOP candidates who promised tougher border enforcement, lower costs and a more practical approach to immigration.
For many residents, border security is not an abstract political debate. It affects public safety, schools, hospitals, small businesses, property owners and local law enforcement.
Talarico’s remarks suggest that at least some Democrats now recognize how badly their party misjudged the issue.
Texas Border Communities Looked to Republicans
According to Talarico, frustrated South Texas voters began searching for an alternative after Democrats failed to address their concerns.
Republicans entered those communities promising stronger immigration enforcement and economic relief. Talarico argued, however, that the Trump administration has not delivered the results those voters expected.
That argument will likely become central to his campaign against Paxton.
Talarico wants voters to believe he can acknowledge the Biden administration’s failures while offering a different Democratic approach. Republicans may counter that admitting the problem during an election campaign does not erase years of weak border policy.
Conservative voters will also want to know whether Talarico supports concrete enforcement measures or is merely changing his message after Democrats suffered politically.
Talarico Attacks Trump’s Border Policies
Despite criticizing Biden, Talarico strongly opposes parts of President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.
He described the Trump administration’s approach as extreme and criticized a proposed border barrier through the Big Bend region. Talarico argued that the area’s cliffs and mountains already form a powerful natural barrier.
The Democrat also linked tariffs to financial pressure on small businesses near the border and claimed that living costs have continued to rise.
According to Talarico, many residents feel disappointed by both political parties.
His campaign is attempting to use that frustration by portraying him as an independent-minded Democrat willing to confront leaders in his own party. Paxton and other Republicans are likely to challenge that image by focusing on Talarico’s voting record and specific immigration positions.
Jasmine Crockett Calls Democratic Primary “Racist”
Talarico reached the general election after defeating Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the party’s Senate primary.
The contentious race exposed divisions within the Texas Democratic Party.
During a subsequent appearance at the Essence Festival, Crockett said she did not need to campaign beside Talarico. She argued that helping Democratic candidates further down the ballot would be a more valuable use of her influence.
Crockett also described the primary contest as racist.
She defended her campaign by pointing to voter participation, claiming the race generated a historic level of turnout comparable to major Democratic campaigns involving Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Her comments indicate that the party may still be struggling to unite after a bitter nomination fight.
Border Security Could Decide the Texas Senate Race
Immigration, inflation and the cost of living are expected to remain important concerns for Texas voters heading into the November midterm elections.
Talarico is trying to walk a narrow political line. He is criticizing Biden and national Democrats for mishandling the border while rejecting important parts of Trump’s enforcement strategy.
That approach could help him appeal to moderates who are dissatisfied with both parties. It could also alienate progressive Democrats without persuading conservative voters who favor stronger enforcement.
Paxton is likely to argue that Republicans recognized the border crisis long before Democratic candidates began acknowledging it during campaign season.
Can Democrats Win Back South Texas?
Talarico’s comments expose a larger challenge facing the Democratic Party.
South Texas communities that once voted reliably for Democrats are no longer guaranteed to do so. Concerns about illegal immigration, public safety, energy jobs and household expenses have reshaped the region’s political landscape.
Winning those voters back will require more than campaign appearances and carefully worded promises. Candidates will need to explain precisely how they intend to secure the border, support legal immigration and protect American taxpayers.
Talarico has now admitted that Biden and national Democrats failed to respond effectively. Texas voters must decide whether his criticism represents genuine independence or a politically convenient change in direction.
The Bottom Line
James Talarico is openly breaking with Biden over one of the former president’s most controversial issues: border security.
His admission that Democrats neglected the southern border confirms what Texas conservatives and border residents had warned about for years. However, his opposition to Trump’s policies leaves unanswered questions about what he would do differently.
As the Senate campaign continues, voters will examine whether Talarico offers a workable border-security plan—or simply a new message designed to overcome his party’s damaged reputation.
