DALLAS — Friendship-West Baptist Church has long been a hub for Black political engagement, drawing candidates eager to connect with its 13,000 members. This is the home church of Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), whose pastor, Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, is seeking to replace her in Congress. Recently, Beto O’Rourke also visited to motivate people to register to vote.
However, the absence of James Talarico this year has not gone unnoticed by several congregants.
As the Democratic Senate nominee, Talarico faces a significant challenge in attempting to turn Texas blue. This journey includes winning the support of nearly 3 million Black voters in the state, who predominantly favored Crockett in the March primary and continue to harbor doubts about his campaign.
“Come and make the ask. Come and try to earn the vote,” remarked Alan Williams, a Crockett supporter and church member. “I think he assumes our vote is automatic and doesn’t see the need to earn it.”
Since securing the nomination a month-and-a-half ago, Talarico has been traveling across Texas, visiting Black churches, meeting with faith leaders and officials, and canvassing in predominantly Black cities. Despite these efforts, worshippers at Friendship-West remain frustrated, having not yet heard from him directly, and Black political leaders across the state are urging him to mend divisions from the primary and galvanize voter turnout.
David Malcolm McGruder, executive pastor at the church, emphasized Talarico’s need to better communicate his vision and commitment to policy beyond election season: “We have people who show up in our churches during the election season, but who don’t show up for us at the level of policy beyond November.”
In an interview, Talarico expressed his eagerness to visit Friendship-West soon: “My top priority is bringing our coalition back together, and that is specifically reaching out to Black Texans. There’s no way to win Texas without winning the trust and the support of Black voters. Period. Full stop.”
It is evident that Talarico has a demanding task ahead. He was not the top choice for Black voters, many of whom are weary from a divisive primary that highlighted issues of race and electability. While Black voters traditionally support Democrats, maintaining high voter enthusiasm is crucial, especially amid growing concerns about voter suppression. A last-minute rule change in Dallas County, Crockett’s home area, led to thousands being turned away or having their ballots invalidated on primary Election Day.
Democrats have long been criticized for taking Black voters for granted. Some Texas strategists fear this pattern may repeat in the run-up to November and that Black voters could be blamed if Talarico does not win.
Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist, noted, “Black voters have been let down over time. What some may not understand is that our vote, more so than any other constituency in the history of this country, has always been a demonstration of our trust, but our trust has either been taken for granted or has always been on the chopping block by a number of people.”
Talarico has started receiving grassroots support from Democratic organizations like O’Rourke’s Powered By People and numerous Black state legislators.
Crystal Chism, president of the Dallas County chapter of Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, emphasized the urgency: “We don’t have time to remain in our feelings. We need to make the main thing the main thing, and that’s getting Talarico elected.”
Nonetheless, a key supporter is missing: Although Crockett conceded the race quickly and endorsed Talarico in March, she has yet to actively campaign for him or rally her supporters. Crockett declined to comment for this story through a spokesperson.
Talarico mentioned that he and Crockett have communicated occasionally since the primary, expressing a desire to have her campaign alongside him.
Russell Maryland, a former NFL draft pick and strong supporter of Crockett, observed, “He’s got his work cut out for him. He’s gonna have to work to win over Jasmine’s supporters. … Talarico will really need to put his fingers in the ground, so to speak in football terms, and kick up some dust.”
Talarico is also addressing criticisms from the primary campaign period.
In February, a PAC supporting Talarico ran a controversial TV ad with the slogan, “If she wins, we lose.” Crockett accused the ad of darkening her skin tone and called it racist. Talarico distanced himself from the ad, stating the PAC was unaffiliated with his campaign and that he disagreed with its message. He expressed confidence in Crockett’s statewide electability in Texas.
Furthermore, a social media influencer alleged that Talarico referred to Colin Allred, who exited the Senate race before Crockett entered, as a “mediocre Black man.” Talarico contended that his remarks were misrepresented and that he was critiquing Allred’s campaign strategy.
Allred, now in a competitive run-off for Texas’ 33rd district, voiced his support for Talarico, affirming his consistent backing of Democrats.
Allred emphasized that Talarico’s main challenge lies not in persuading Black voters to choose him over the Republican candidate but in ensuring their turnout.
“He needs to show comfort in Black spaces and Black communities,” Allred stated. “I’m sure he can do that, but there’s just no substitute for it. Particularly given how some of the ads that ran, there may be some element of having to show contrition, even if he wasn’t responsible for all those.”
Since the primary, Talarico has frequented Black churches almost every weekend, including a recent visit to Prairie View A&M University, an HBCU. There, he acknowledged the importance of earning the trust and support of Crockett’s followers. He has also engaged in door-to-door outreach in DeSoto, Texas, and held a roundtable with Black community leaders in Austin. Additionally, he gathered African American clergy at Saint Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas to discuss policy.
Talarico commented on the Democratic Party’s historical oversight: “The Democratic Party has taken Black voters for granted and assumed that they’re just part of the base, assumed they’ll just show up and vote for you. And I think we’ve seen the disastrous results of that kind of disrespect toward Black voters.”
Talarico benefits from enthusiastic Texas Democrats eager to transform the state politically. Last Sunday, O’Rourke, who narrowly lost to GOP Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018, mingled with congregants at Friendship-West. His organization’s volunteers encouraged voter registration there.
O’Rourke expressed his enthusiasm for Talarico, offering comprehensive support for his campaign efforts.
State Sen. Royce West, who initially supported Crockett but now endorses Talarico, shared a balanced outlook: “He’s warming up. He has support within the African American community. Is it where it needs to be? No. Is he making strides? Yes.”
On the Republican side, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are in a prolonged and costly run-off, which might work to the Democrats’ advantage. Talarico’s internal polls indicate he is competitive against both candidates, with some analysts suggesting a better chance against Paxton due to his controversies. Talarico holds a financial edge with nearly $10 million in campaign funds, surpassing Cornyn’s over $8 million and Paxton’s $2.6 million.
Cliff Walker, a Texas Democratic strategist, remains hopeful: “There’s work to be done, but I don’t stay up at night worried that we’re not going to be able to reassemble this coalition in time for November.”
