James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, brought his "Clear Eyes Full Hearts" tour to Midland a week before the Nov. 3 election. Speaking at The Lofts Event Center, he said the tour takes its name from a motto in the TV series "Friday Night Lights" and urged the crowd to vote.
Talarico said he supports the state's oil and gas industry and wants to protect its jobs while also investing in renewable energy. He said Texas leads the nation in wind and solar. He also pointed to his votes in the Texas House on a $123 million economic development project in Midland-Odessa, the GROW Fund and legislation on oilfield theft.
Talarico said his great-grandfather, Jimmy "PawPaw" C. Causey, a barber who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II, inspired him. He criticized his opponent, Republican Ken Paxton, saying Paxton serves himself and has increased his wealth by $27 million.
Talarico said his first bills, if elected, would focus on an anti-corruption agenda that includes overturning Citizens United, banning stock trading by officials in office, banning gerrymandering and setting term limits. He said megadonors, primarily Elon Musk, are spending $200 million to defeat him.