<\/p>\n
Dallas businessman Mark Cuban speaks during a panel discussion with Senate candidate James Talarico, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Senate candidate James Talarico (center) and Dallas businessman Mark Cuban take part in a panel discussion, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
People isten to Senate candidate James Talarico and Dallas businessman Mark Cuban during a panel discussion, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
People take pictures with the marquee ahead of entering the theatre to listen to a panel discussion by Senate candidate James Talarico and Dallas businessman Mark Cuban, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
People react as they listen to Senate candidate James Talarico and Dallas businessman Mark Cuban during a panel discussion, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Senate candidate James Talarico (left) shares a moment with Dallas businessman Mark Cuban during a panel discussion, on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
FORT WORTH<\/a> \u2013 Mark Cuban <\/a>knows a pitch when he hears one. And after hearing Democrat James <\/a>Talarico<\/a>\u2019s case for the U.S. Senate<\/a>, Cuban appears ready to invest.<\/p>\n The billionaire Dallas<\/a> businessman and former \u201cShark Tank\u201d star said Saturday that Talarico is offering the kind of ambitious ideas on healthcare, the economy and small businesses that Washington needs.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe in him,\u201d Cuban said during a panel discussion with Talarico at a packed Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth. \u201cWe need people like James in the Senate helping to find solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Cuban, the former owner of the Dallas Mavericks, rarely appears with political candidates. But he said he agreed to join the podcast event after Talarico endorsed breaking up healthcare monopolies to lower prescription drug prices and other medical costs.<\/p>\n \u201cJames nailed it,\u201d Cuban said. \u201cSo here I am.\u201d<\/p>\n Cuban never mentioned Republican Ken Paxton, Talarico\u2019s opponent, by name. But he repeatedly contrasted Talarico\u2019s character and ethics with those of the attorney general.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe very strongly that character is destiny,\u201d Cuban said. \u201cWhen people are tested, when it hits the fan, that\u2019s when real character emerges. When you see somebody like James, who truly is ethical, you can believe in him. You can trust him.\u201d<\/p>\n Related: Talarico pitches \u2018New American Dream,\u2019 gains GOP support in Tarrant County<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Cuban also praised Talarico\u2019s economic proposals, saying, \u201cWhen we send him to Washington, he\u2019s going to be looking out for those entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n Talarico and Paxton are locked in a tight race that could help determine the balance of power in the Senate. Cuban stopped short of formally endorsing Talarico, but he twice referred to \u201cwhen Talarico is elected to the Senate\u201d and said he was the leader Washington needs.<\/p>\n During the one-hour discussion, Talarico criticized Paxton for threatening to sue the Big 12 if the conference sanctioned former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, whom the NCAA declared ineligible after a sports betting scandal. Talarico also noted that Paxton received a nearly $300,000 campaign donation from Board of Regents Chairman Cody Campbell the day before making the threat.<\/p>\n \u201cKen Paxton is the most corrupt politician in Texas,\u201d Talarico said. \u201cHe should be nowhere near college football, and he should be nowhere near the United States Senate.\u201d<\/p>\n The conversation then turned to Talarico\u2019s healthcare proposals, which he unveiled earlier this week. The state representative from Austin said he modeled parts of his plan on Cuban\u2019s ideas.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n