The Old Politics is Dying

November 7, 2026 Senator-elect James Talarico of Texas gave a victory speech that recalled an era when Americans worked together to defend their country against those who would take its wealth and power for themselves, He leaned into his own religious faith, his history as a middle-school teacher and as the son of a single mother, telling the crowd that his life has taught him to always bet on the underdog, And in Texas against all odds, his movement took their power back, He said, “this win is for every underdog who’s been counted out and left behind…and for every Texan who’s ever wondered if anyone is listening.,” He went on to say that “the billionaires who  … own the politicians fighting on our screens … want us focused on how we’re different instead of on how we’re the same,” He continued, “… tonight we sent a crystal clear message to the people at the top. We will not be conquered,” Explaining how Democrats had won Texas, he said, “the world changes person to person, neighbor to neighbor,”  And he said, “We won this race because people who are desperate for change now are going to get change…. a new politics is being born through each of us,”  Talarico, who won his race by an astonishing 12 points, identified the threat that this new politics poses to establishment politics, especially MAGA, Trump highlighted his need for division and hatred, offering the job of White House press secretary to the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, whom Trump described as a “violent fighter and warrior.” To read this letter, click here: Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify You can also find Heather at: YouTube Bluesky Instagram Facebook Threads TikTok Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe