Published November 14, 2026 · By
James Talarico, the Democratic senator-elect from Texas, told a gathering of Democrats in Denver that his party should work with President Donald Trump during the president's final two years in office instead of waiting for a new administration. His remarks came at the "What's Next" conference, a two-day meeting that wrapped up Friday and drew several of the party's potential 2028 presidential contenders, its incoming House leader and a group of newly elected lawmakers.
The call to cooperate drew a mix of agreement and caution from other Democrats on stage, while Republicans have questioned whether the overture is sincere. Below is what was said, who said it, and what the debate could mean for the bills that reach the president's desk in 2027.
What James Talarico Said in Denver
Speaking Thursday at the Mission Ballroom in Denver, James Talarico argued that Americans should not have to wait until 2029 for results. According to NPR, he told the audience: "The American people cannot wait two years for change, so we must work with President Trump." He added that he wants the last two years of the Trump presidency to be the most productive of any presidency, The Hill reported.
James Talarico named economic relief, political reform and immigration policy as areas where he sees room for agreement, according to The Hill and Newsmax. He acknowledged that some reforms might not pass until 2029, but said Democrats should not hold everything back until then. In a pitch aimed at the president, he referred to Lyndon B. Johnson, the Texan who served in the Senate before becoming president, and said Democrats could help Trump earn the same kind of plaques, portraits and busts that honor Johnson's legislative record.
Newsmax reported that Talarico also told the crowd Democrats had elected 55 senators and were within striking distance of a supermajority. Those figures are his own characterization; final counts in some races are still being certified.
How He Won His Seat
James Talarico, 37, is a four-term state representative from Austin. On Nov. 3 he defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1988, according to the Texas Tribune. The Associated Press called the race shortly after 10 p.m. that night. Paxton had beaten Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary runoff in May, and Cornyn will hold the seat until James Talarico is sworn in in January.
The Texas Tribune reported that the race was the most expensive nonpresidential contest on record, with roughly $590 million in ad spending, according to the tracking firm AdImpact. Trump endorsed Paxton and campaigned for him in person.
How Other Democrats Responded to James Talarico
Reactions inside the party were not uniform. Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin signaled openness, saying she would be willing to put Trump's name on a bill if that is what it took to get it passed, NPR reported. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Democrats could learn from the current White House's bias toward action and urged a rapid series of bills aimed at lowering the cost of living. He did not explicitly endorse working with the president.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was more skeptical. She described Trump as a bad-faith negotiator and advised Talarico that, if the president wants to work with Democrats, the party should set the agenda and let him sign it, according to NPR. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger made a similar point, arguing that Democrats should pass the bills they believe help Americans and leave it to Trump to decide whether to sign or veto them.
Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed took a different approach on social media, posting mock-ups of "Trump Care" insurance cards to promote universal health coverage, The Hill reported. Some Democrats outside the conference have called for aggressive investigations of the administration, Newsmax noted.
The Wider Conference Agenda
The event was organized by Majority Democrats, a group chaired by Rep. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts that describes itself as an alternative to both the party establishment and its activist left, according to the Associated Press. Auchincloss challenged 2028 hopefuls to name ideas they would stop endorsing, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker in January, outlined priorities that NPR said include reversing Medicaid cuts, banning stock trading by members of Congress, a statutory right to abortion and overturning the Citizens United campaign finance decision. Jeffries also endorsed Sen. Andy Kim's MediKids bill, which would provide health coverage for children, according to the Inquirer.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said a decision on running for president would be a personal one for his family, and urged Democrats to aim well beyond 270 electoral votes. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen told reporters he is no longer considering a White House bid and is focused on his challenge to Chuck Schumer for the Senate leadership post.
What Republicans Have Said About James Talarico
No response from the White House or from Republican congressional leaders to the Denver remarks had been reported as of Saturday. Republicans have, however, questioned similar overtures in the past. When James Talarico said on a podcast released Nov. 2 that he would work with Trump on health care access, child care and housing, Karoline Leavitt said on Fox & Friends that she did not believe him and argued he would govern as a liberal, Fox News reported.
During the campaign, Trump repeatedly mocked James Talarico on social media and at rallies, according to Fox News and Newsmax. The Republican National Committee's chair also dismissed the idea that Talarico had meaningful Republican support, according to an earlier Fox News report.
James Talarico, for his part, has said throughout the campaign that he wants accountability for the administration and cooperation where possible, Newsmax reported.
Why the James Talarico Approach Matters for Congress
Democrats are set to take control of both the House and the Senate when the new Congress convenes in January, according to the Associated Press. Trump will still hold the veto pen, and overriding a veto requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Readers can follow bills and votes on the official Congress.gov site.
Analysis: The split in Denver comes down to strategy. One camp, represented by James Talarico and Slotkin, argues that striking deals with the president is the fastest way to deliver results. Another, voiced by Sherrill and Spanberger, would pass Democratic bills first and put the decision on the president. Which approach prevails will shape what actually becomes law. Budget tools such as reconciliation, which incoming House Budget leaders are already weighing, could also play a role.
What It Means for You
For most households, the practical question is which proposals could reach the president's desk in 2027 and whether he would sign them. Based on what was said in Denver, these are the areas to watch:
- Cost of living: Buttigieg called for a quick series of bills to lower everyday costs, and Talarico listed economic relief as a possible area of agreement. No specific bill text has been released yet.
- Health care: Jeffries wants to reverse Medicaid cuts, and the MediKids proposal would expand coverage for children. If you or your family rely on Medicaid, check the latest on Medicaid work rules, which are set to begin in 2027.
- Housing and child care: James Talarico has previously named housing construction and child care as issues he would work on with the president.
- Ethics rules: A ban on congressional stock trading is on the Democratic list and has drawn interest in both parties in the past.
- Immigration: James Talarico named it as a possible area for a deal, though Republicans have doubted Democrats would agree with the administration on enforcement.
Nothing changes for your taxes, benefits or paycheck yet. The new Congress has not been sworn in, and any bill would still need to pass both chambers and be signed by the president, or survive a veto. If a proposal matters to you, the most direct step is to contact your representative and senators once the new Congress begins in January.
Key Dates Ahead
Senate Democrats are expected to hold their leadership vote in December, deciding between Schumer and Van Hollen. The new Congress convenes in January, when Talarico and other newly elected members take office. Trump's term runs through January 2029, which is the window James Talarico says Democrats should use.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
Sources: NPR (via OPB), The Hill, Newsmax, Texas Tribune (via KSAT), Fox News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Associated Press (via Al Jazeera), Congress.gov.
