FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico closed out the night on Wednesday with a rally at Safari Texas Ranch in Fort Bend County after a day filled with appearances across the Houston area.

Earlier in the day, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia greeted Talarico during an afternoon stop at Garcia’s north Houston home.

It’s there he took questions from Eyewitness News, something his Republican opponent Ken Paxton has repeatedly declined to do.

Talarico hammered home his often-repeated affordability message and took shots at Paxton.

“Do you want a senator who’s gonna put money in your pocket or a senator who puts money in his own?” he asked.

Asked if he thought any of the attack ads focused on culture war issues were gaining traction, Talarico said he didn’t think so.

“I think people are tired of being divided,” he said. “People are tired of politicians pitting us against each other. They want a senator who’s actually gonna solve problems.”

Eyewitness News asked Talarico whether he supported any of Paxton’s tax deduction proposals, which include a $50,000 deduction for home down payments, a $25,000 deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses, and even deductions for gym memberships.

“I’m gonna do anything to lower costs for people, including working with Republicans, but when you read Ken Paxton’s proposals, look at the details because almost all of the exemptions he’s proposing disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans,” Talarico said.

Instead, Talarico has said he supports expanding the low-income housing tax credit as well as the child and earned income tax credits.

Talarico’s economic message seemed to resonate with voters during an appearance at the AFL union hall in southeast Houston.

“The economic climate, Talarico himself, his background, his attitude, his personality, he’s one of us. You know, he’s not a billionaire; he is a worker,” said Dora Cervantes with the IAM Union.

Eyewitness News asked Talarico if he would welcome George W. Bush’s support after his brother, Neil, and daughter, Barbara, put their support behind him.

“I’m honored to have members of the Bush family supporting our campaign, and of course, we would love the former president’s support, and I think that demonstrates that this is bigger than party,” Talarico said.

Talarico’s bus tour continues Thursday with an evening rally in Galveston.

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