James Talarico

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

James Talarico has been recognized as one of the most promising young Democrats in Texas. In 2023, Fortune magazine named him to its 40 Under 40 list, and the Texas Tribune featured him as one of 10 Democrats to Watch in 2022. His 2023 school voucher speech was named one of the most viral political moments of the year by Politico. He received an honorary doctorate from Southwestern University in 2024 for his education policy work. The city of Round Rock awarded him the Key to the City in 2023 for his community service.

AwardsJames Talarico has received several awards for his legislative work. He won the Texas Democratic Party's Rising Star Award in 2017, the National Education Association's Friend of Education Award in 2019, and the Texas AFL-CIO's Legislator of the Year award in 2021. He also earned a Public Service Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 2022 and the Texas PTA's Advocate for Children Award in 2023.

Honours & Distinctions

Key to the City of Round Rock

City of Round Rock·2023

Awarded for community service.

Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

Southwestern University·2024

For his work in education policy.

Rankings & Lists

#Listed

40 Under 40

Fortune Magazine·2023

#Featured

10 Democrats to Watch

The Texas Tribune·2022

#Mentioned

Most Viral Politicians of 2023

Politico·2023

Magazine Covers

Texas Monthly

January 2024

The Teacher Who Took on Ted Cruz: James Talarico's Unlikely Senate Run

The Austin Chronicle

February 2023

The Education Governor? Talarico's Schoolhouse Crusade

D Magazine

August 2024

The Faith of James Talarico: How a Democrat Uses Religion to Fight for Public Schools