Texas state Rep. James Talarico launches campaign for U.S. Senate

Texas state Rep. James Talarico announced Tuesday that he will run for U.S.

Texas state Rep. James Talarico announced Tuesday that he will run for U.S. Senate in Texas, setting up a competitive Democratic primary in a red state the party is hoping to put in play next year.

Talarico, 36, has been billed as a rising Democratic star and was one of the party's leading voices in Texas' redistricting fight this summer. He also garnered national attention after appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast in July.

In a video launching his campaign, Talarico pitches himself as both a uniter and a fighter who will stand for working people, and frequently mentions his Christian faith.

“We’re underdogs in this fight. We’re going up against those billionaire megadonors and their puppet politicians. We’re going up against a rigged system. And we’re going up against a lot of money,” he says in the video.

Talarico also references his grandfather — a Baptist preacher who “taught me that we follow a barefoot rabbi who gave two commandments: love God and love neighbor.”