SAN ANTONIO – Texas House Rep. James Talarico, who is running for the U.S. Senate, packed Stable Hall at the Pearl downtown with around 1,000 people.
“It’s just nice to see someone who is positive and uplifting for a change,” said Aaron Francl, a visitor.
Talarico is looking to harness that same energy from voters, calling the recent strikes in Iran tragic.
“Innocent schoolchildren killed in Iran — it’s enough to break your heart,” said Talarico.
And just Sunday morning, a shooter in Austin wearing a “Property of Allah” jacket opened fire along Sixth Street, an area lined with people and bars.
“I think we forget that grief can be fertile soil. Sometimes we see the world most clearly through our tears,” said Talarico.
Although he spoke briefly about the strike in Iran and the shooting in Austin, Talarico mostly focused on immigration. He said all of it contributes to a sense of despair that can only be addressed with action, including voting.
“There’s always the potential that I may get called up again,” said Grant Moody.
Bexar County Commissioner of Grant Moody representing Precinct 3, who is also an active reservist, said if Talarico wants a seat in the U.S. Senate, he needs to be more assertive against the Iranian government.
“He’s going to really have to bone up on his foreign policy,” said Moody.
Moody said Iran has contributed to the deaths of countless people in the Middle East through its support of Islamic terrorist organizations and although there is not a official link between the Austin shooter and and Islamic terrorism as of yet moody touched on the topic.
“It sure seems like Islamic extremism, Islamic terrorism,” said Moody.
“We need to be mindful there are extremist ideologies out there that preach hate, and that hate ultimately leads to violence,” he added.
Talarico is headed to Houston next to prepare for two rallies he has Monday.