Black Houston voters say trust will decide Senate race

As Texas’ U.S. Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton intensifies, Black voters say their support will hinge on more than party labels. At a recent Houston community forum, attendees shared what will determine their vote and whether either candidate has done enough to earn the trust of Black Texans ahead of the midterms in November.

What will be the deciding factor behind your vote in the Texas Senate race?

ELENE GILLARD

“One deciding factor is that it’s important to flip Texas blue because I don’t think we’ve had any good representation since Ann Richards left. The Republican Party…I can’t remember anything they’ve done for the people of Texas. Especially nowadays, they all just side with Trump.”

DARA LANDRY

“…looking at the policy of all the candidates on the ballot, what they’re gonna do about education and small businesses in America.”

LANDY WATLEY

“The economy. As a black woman who was fired by the federal government as a result of Trump’s DOGE cuts, this system is not working. Not only do we need protection for Black women like myself, but we also need more opportunities.”

RENEE WASHINGTON

“Someone that I feel like could really articulate what the issues are that are pertaining to the Black community, not something general in the sense of improving housing or education.

I want it real detailed…mortality rate, lack of sustainable employment, lack of adequate community infrastructure…not something with a few tweaks that could be said to an Asian, Latin community, rural communities, with a little bit of sprinkle of some Back vernacular.”

Between James Talarico and Ken Paxton, who has addressed the Black community more?

RENEE WASHINGTON

“Neither of them. I don’t think he [Talarico] understands the Black community…you’re both just white. It fails to address a Black person; you’re not black. I don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat. I don’t believe when it comes down to it, you’ll really truly consider my needs. Ken and James look more like two brothers fighting than necessarily somebody ideologically politically, morally different.”

JORDAN WILSON

“James Talarico has done a small number of things, but Ken Paxton has done nothing for black people except denigrate us. At this point, let’s keep him [Paxton] a Texas problem and not a national problem.”

LASHANA WALTERS

“I don’t think it’s been addressed on either side with the two candidates. What I would like to know is how Talarico is going to address voter apathy. If he can get people out of their homes, then he can win this election…We have not seen enough candidates who want to address things dealing with the Black community.”

BRITTANY LITTLE

“Talarico. He’s not a perfect candidate…but to come in here, have those hard conversations, get yelled at, that’s important.”

DARA LANDRY

“James Talarico. Ken Paxton doesn’t care about Black people at all. If Talarico only said one thing, he said one more thing than Paxton will ever say. There’s always more work to be done, but I appreciate the effort he’s making, and I hope that he continues to reach out to Black Texans. He cannot win without our vote, but we need to give him our vote.”

LANDY WATLEY

“I don’t think Talarico is perfect. Today was a down payment. From here, we need to take his answers and hold him accountable for action. I hope he sticks to the promises he made today, investing in the Black vote and Black media. Ken Paxton is not even an option in my mind. People’s track records speak for themselves.”