WASHINGTON (October 22, 2026)—Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislation Fund, announces its endorsement of James Talarico for U.S. Senate in Texas. As the nation’s leading political animal advocacy organization, Humane World Action Fund endorses candidates based on their demonstrated commitment to animal protection, evaluating each candidate only on their record and positions on animal welfare issues.

“James Talarico's record shows a strong stance against animal cruelty. As a state lawmaker, he has a record of working across party lines and helped pass legislation that holds animal abusers accountable and strengthens protections for animals across Texas,” said Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “Texans and their animals deserve strong champions. We urge voters to elect James Talarico to the U.S. Senate.”

Should he be elected to the U.S. Senate, Talarico has pledged to support legislation strengthening enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, improving conditions for dogs living in large-scale breeding operations, expanding access to veterinary care, promoting humane conditions for farmed animals, and conserving the nation’s wildlife.

Earlier this year, Humane World Action Fund called out the troubling animal protection record of Ken Paxton, Talarico’s opponent for the U.S. Senate seat. In 2015, animal advocates submitted formal requests for records on the individual dogs Texas A&M was using in publicly-funded animal experiments at the time. When the issue was raised to the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, his office issued a series of legal opinions which Texas A&M used as justification to withhold the records of care requested on the basis of veterinarian-patient privilege, shielding them from accountability and helping to cover up painful animal experiments.

Humane World Action Fund further details James Talarico’s positive voting record on animal protection bills as part of the 2023 and 2025 Texas Humane Scorecards:

  • Roadside Animal Sales Ban in Montgomery and Fort Bend Counties (HB 2012): Signed into law in 2025, the measure allows both counties to prohibit roadside and parking lot sales of live animals in unincorporated areas, helping protect animals and consumers from unsafe, unregulated sellers.
  • Pancho’s Law (HB 285): Signed into law in 2025, the measure closes a longstanding loophole in Texas’ animal cruelty statute by allowing acts committed with criminal negligence to be prosecuted.
  • “Spay. Neuter. Adopt.” License Plate Program (SB 1568): Signed into law in 2025, the measure creates a specialty license plate promoting responsible pet ownership and directs $22 from each sale to low-cost spay and neuter services, prioritizing rural and underserved areas.
  • Licensed Breeder Act (SB 876): Signed into law in 2023, the measure requires breeders with five or more breeding females to be licensed and drops the requirement to prove they sold at least 20 animals.
  • Fraudulent Service Animals (HB 4164): Signed into law in 2023, the measure clarifies the definition of a service animal and strengthens penalties for misrepresenting a pet as one, helping protect people who rely on trained service animals.
  • T-N-R is Not Abandonment (HB 3660): Signed into law in 2023, the measure clarifies the legality of trap-neuter-return programs and protects participants from prosecution for returning community cats to their outdoor homes.
  • Cruelty Prevention (HB 598): Signed into law in 2023, the measure prohibits people convicted of animal cruelty from having dogs, cats and other non-livestock animals for five years after conviction.
  • Pet Inclusive Housing (SB 349): Signed into law in 2023, the measure prohibits public housing authorities from imposing breed-based dog restrictions, helping keep families and their pets together.

View a running list of 2026 endorsements, including other candidates in Texas, made by Humane World Action Fund at humaneaction.org/endorsements.

Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo; ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475