Before James Talarico entered politics, he was teaching sixth-grade language arts at Rhodes Middle School on San Antonio’s West Side — an experience he says continues to shape his views as he campaigns for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

“Teaching middle school is the best preparation for politics,” Talarico said. “There’s no tougher job than being a public school teacher, particularly in a high-poverty, low-income school. That experience on the West Side is what set me on the course I’m on now.”

He said those lessons motivate him to fight for better funding and stronger protections for public schools.

“Our neighborhood schools are under attack from some of the most powerful politicians and billionaires in the country,” he said, criticizing efforts to divert public funds toward private schoo

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