State Rep. James Talarico Plans Move To ATX After GOP Redistrict

Round Rock TX

15 October, 2021

10:04 AM

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ROUND ROCK, TX — State Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock, announced Wednesday he is moving to Austin to run for reelection in a different House district after he says Republicans "gerrymandered" him out of his own district. Talarico said he would run in nearby House District 50, where the Democratic incumbent, Celia Israel, is not seeking reelection as she prepares to run for Austin mayor. He announced the new campaign on Twitter with the support of the biggest names in Democratic politics in Texas, including Beto O'Rourke, Wendy Davis and Joaquin Castro. Republicans have gerrymandered me out of my district. If they think they can keep me off the House floor, they better think again. I'm grateful to everyone urging me to move back to HD50—where I grew up—to run for the seat being vacated by my friend Rep Israel. I'm in. #txlege pic.twitter.com/Kbv1RdNq8G— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) October 13, 2021 "I'm grateful to everyone urging me to move back to HD50 — where I grew up — to run for the seat being vacated by my friend Israel. I'm in," Talarico tweeted. Talarico currently represents House District 52, which is set to become redder in redistricting. Texas Tribune reports President Joe Biden won the district by 10 percentage points to one that Donald Trump would have carried by 4. While HD-52 may be changing course, officials say HD-50 is likely to remain solidly blue after redistricting. You can see in the map below how Republicans drew Black and Brown communities (in green) with White rural communities (in blue). In a county that is only 55% White, Republicans gave White voters control over 100% of the State House districts. pic.twitter.com/MygEGZ14kX— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) October 13, 2021 Talarico's announcement came hours after the House approved the proposed map, with few major changes expected going forward. Talarico said he was not angry at Republicans for proposing a district more slanted toward them but how they did it — "trying to get rid of me by dividing the communities of color in my district." Talarico isn't the only person setting their sights on HD-50. Earlier Wednesday, Pflugerville City Councilman Rudy Metayer announced he was exploring a run for the seat as well.