By Pat Trevino, Cuero Online News
VICTORIA, TX — On Thursday evening, September 25, Club Westerner was packed wall-to-wall as Democrat State Representative James Talarico brought his campaign message directly to South Texas. The rally, held from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at 1005 W Constitution St, drew a diverse and energized crowd — including several attendees from Cuero who made the short drive to hear him speak.
Talarico didn’t mince words when addressing what he sees as the true fault line in American politics. “The biggest divide in our country is not left versus right,” he told the crowd. “It’s top versus bottom.” He argued that the ultra-wealthy — the billionaires who own social media platforms, cable news networks, and political influence — have a vested interest in keeping everyday Americans angry and divided. “Our unity is a threat to their wealth and their power,” he said, drawing cheers from the audience.
“In that big ugly bill, they gutted our health care, they defunded schools, and they did all that to cut taxes for their donors”
This theme has become central to Talarico’s Senate campaign. In recent interviews and speeches, he’s repeatedly called out what he terms “billionaire megadonors” for manipulating public discourse. “Their algorithms tear us apart,” he said. “They want us focused on how different we are instead of how much we have in common.” Talarico’s critique spans both parties — he’s denounced donor influence across the aisle, insisting that concentrated wealth has corrupted the political system and drowned out the voices of regular Texans.
By reframing the political struggle as one between concentrated power and everyday people, Talarico is tapping into a growing hunger for systemic change. “It’s been ten years of politics as bloodsport,” he said. “Politics that tears families apart and leaves us all feeling terrible.” His call for a “politics of love” — one rooted in compassion, shared values, and economic justice — resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom said they were ready to help build that movement from the ground up.
He invoked his faith as a moral compass, urging listeners to love their neighbors — not just those who look, vote, or worship like them, but all neighbors. “Despite our differences,” he said, “we all want the same things: a safe neighborhood, a good job, a well-funded public school, and the ability to see a doctor when we need one.”
“There is something broken in America,” Talarico said, drawing loud applause. “Our economy is broken, our political system is broken. Even our relationships with each other feel broken. That’s because the most powerful people in the world want it that way.”
The crowd responded with cheers and standing ovations throughout the evening, especially when Talarico declared, “There is a deep hunger in this state and in this country for a different kind of politics — not a politics of hate, not a politics of tribes, not a politics of division, but a politics of love.”
After his speech, most attendees stayed to meet Talarico, take photos, and share personal concerns. Among them were numerous Cuero residents who said they felt moved by his message and immediately signed up to volunteer for his campaign.
“I came here skeptical,” said one Cuero volunteer. “But when he spoke about healing what’s broken in America, I felt that and I’m ready to help.”
Talarico’s campaign appears to be gaining traction in DeWitt County, with Cuero residents now organizing local volunteer efforts. As the race heats up, South Texas may prove to be a pivotal region — not just for votes, but for a renewed vision of civic unity.
For more coverage on local politics and community events, visit Cuero Online News.