Talarico’s virtual visit to UTRGV

An ill James Talarico appeared virtually to discuss artificial intelligence (A.I.), taxes and bipartisanship goals for the state of Texas with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council (USHBC) earlier today.

The event was hosted by Javier Palomarez, CEO and president of USHBC at the PlainsCapital Bank Theater in the Student Union on the Edinburg campus. On Monday, the USHBC hosted the same event with republican candidate and attorney general Ken Paxton as the special guest in Fort Worth, Texas.

Talarico was originally scheduled to join in person, but according to him, he came down with the flu and had to go to an urgent care hospital in Dallas.

UTRGV students listen to Talarico and Palomarez discuss campaign policies at the “In Dialogue Texas Q&A” earlier today at the PlainsCapital Bank – Student Union Theatre on the Edinburg campus.
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

“I guess I’ve been shaking too many hands on the campaign trail,” Talarico said. “I thought the best thing to do is put safety first and everyone’s health first.”

Throughout the conversation, Palomarez and Talarico discussed his journey as a “public servant” through being a teacher and politician. Talarico said after he saw students he taught being underserved in his community he began leading non-profits and eventually joined the state legislature.

Palomarez asked Talarico about multiple concerns regarding oil, energy and the water crisis happening in Texas.

“I want to make gas more affordable by investing in pipeline infrastructure and building supply chains for critical minerals and transformers,” he said. “I rolled out a plan to suspend the federal gas tax … if we suspend those federal taxes, it will drop the price of gas by 18 cents a gallon immediately.”

Talarico said healthcare is an important policy to him because of his experience with type 1 diabetes and the difficulties of paying for treatments.

He said when he was diagnosed, he paid $684 for his first supply of insulin, but when he got elected, he was able to help pass the first insulin co-pay cap of $25 for Texans. Talarico added him alongside businessman Mark Cuban held an event on Aug. 29, 2o26 where they rolled out a plan to take on big healthcare monopolies.

Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Business Council, speaks at the “In Dialogue Texas Q&A” earlier today at the PlainsCapital Bank – Student Union Theatre on the Edinburg campus. “At the USHBC, we believe that any legitimate candidate for office is welcome on our stage,” Palomarez said. “We wish [Talarico] the best on the campaign trail.”
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

“One company can own the hospital where you pay to get treated, they can own the drugstore where you pay for your prescriptions and they can own the health insurance company that decides how much you pay,” Talarico said. “That is anti-competition, anti-capitalism … we need more choices so that we can drive down prices in our healthcare system.”

Another issue the men touched on was the continuing rise of artificial intelligence and development of data centers in Texas.

Palomarez said he thinks we need honest, clear sighted leaders who will tell the American people the truth about what’s really going on with A.I. leadership and technology.

“If a data center company can’t meet the commands of the community they seek to operate, if they can’t pay for their own energy, if they can’t pay for their own water and recycle their water, if they can’t get the consent and the input of the people who live in these communities, then they shouldn’t be built,” Talarico said. “But if they can do those things and it’s a two-way partnership between the community and the data center company, then we should honor local control.”

He added he has not taken a dime in donations from data centers companies but his opponent (Paxton) has taken over $1 million from companies.

Pulse did not find any documents stating Ken Paxton received over $1 million from data center companies but instead half a million dollars.

Javier Palomarez, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Business Council, speaks to the audience at the “In Dialogue Texas Q&A” earlier today at the PlainsCapital Bank Student Union Theatre on the Edinburg campus. “We’re fighting for the soul of our nation,” Palomarez said. “[Talarico] represents a voice of reason and reminds us that we must continue to look where the light is still shining.”
Mariajose Garza/Pulse

According to Palomarez, a recent poll said 74% of Americans want members of congress to compromise across the aisle but 60% of them have no confidence that it will actually happen.

“We need courageous leaders who put people and policy ahead of partisan politics,” he added.

Talarico replied he’s not going to Washington to represent the democratic party, but to represent the 31 million Texans.

“I will always put Texans above any political party and I think that is what this state deserves,” he said. “God willing, I will be at the center for this great state come January next year.”

Early voting for the general election is from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30. The general election is on Nov. 3, 2026. To find polling locations, go to hidalgocounty.us

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