James Talarico, the Austin state lawmaker and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, is running on a premise that the true conflict in politics is not left versus right, but a “top versus bottom” struggle between the ultrawealthy and everyday Texans.
At the heart of this message is Talarico’s avowed support for curbing the political influence of billionaire donors. He has sworn off corporate PAC donations, proposed measures to crack down on “billionaire tax loopholes” to ensure they “pay their fair share,” and advocated for outlawing super PACs.
But the cast of contributors bankrolling Lone Star Rising PAC, a super PAC in his corner, features several billionaires, many of whom are prolific Democratic donors, and dark money nonprofit groups that do not have to disclose their funders.
