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Texas' Senate Primary Race Between Crockett and Talarico Ramps up After Pulled Colbert Interview
James Talarico raised $2.5 million in 24 hours after CBS pulled his Stephen Colbert interview amid legal concerns, intensifying the Texas Democratic Senate primary.
- With the March 3 primary approaching, James Talarico's taped Stephen Colbert interview was pulled, posted online with nearly 8 million views, and his campaign said it raised $2.5 million in 24 hours.
- Network counsel told the show that CBS lawyers advised on Monday night that the show couldn't air the interview, citing fears of regulatory issues from Trump administration regulators.
- On Feb. 17, 2026, both Talarico and Crockett built national profiles through viral clips; Crockett called posting the Colbert segment a `good strategy` for attention.
- Local leaders say Harris County Democratic Chair Mike Doyle called the post-pull bump for James Talarico `undeniable`, while Jasmine Crockett urged voters to weigh experience during Dallas and Fort Worth campaign stops.
- With national attention on the race, Democrats in Texas see a rare opening this year to win a Senate seat, while Sen. John Cornyn's contested primary against Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt raises stakes for both parties.
25 Articles
25 Articles
How Colbert went to war with CBS and the FCC
Late Show host Stephen Colbert is accusing CBS of forbidding him to air his interview with James Talarico — a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate — citing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules about ensuring a level playing field during elections. Andrew Chang breaks down Colbert's comments about the regulations, explains how they actually work, and puts it all in context with President Donald Trump's ongoing fight against late-night TV. Im…
Texas’ Senate primary race between Crockett and Talarico ramps up after pulled Colbert interview
Talarico and Crockett ramped up their bids Thursday as some Democrats see increasing opportunity in November’s elections despite not having won a statewide race in Texas in more than 30 years. Colbert's pulled interview with Talarico put more of a spotlight on their race.
Associated Press News
Texas' Senate primary race between Crockett and Talarico ramps up after pulled Colbert interview
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas is urging supporters to look at experience in a heated U.S. Senate primary with state Rep.
Stephen Colbert and CBS just upended Jasmine Crockett’s Senate race in Texas
The congresswoman’s high-profile supporters are seething, writes John Bowden, as her opponent basks in the national limelight — and rakes in donations after Colbert takes their interview to YouTube
Talarico Colbert Interview Sparks Media Firestorm Over Political Speech Rules - PR News Blog
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s studio lights are always a tad too bright, reflecting off of camera lenses and shiny desks to give the impression that everything is more permanent than it actually is. James Talarico was expected to sit there, respond to inquiries, smile courteously, and introduce himself to a national audience that was still mostly unaware of his name. Rather, his interview turned into something completely different—a repre…
Colbert and Texas Democrat cry censorship over a legal rule CBS chose to follow
Stephen Colbert wants you to believe the Trump administration silenced him. The reality is far less dramatic and far more revealing. CBS pulled a pre-recorded interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico from Monday's broadcast of "The Late Show." The network's own lawyers advised against airing it, citing the FCC's equal-time rule, which would have obligated CBS to offer comparable airtime to Talarico's primary opponents, inc…
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