Texas Dem Senate hopeful donated to group pushing Austin police budget cuts

Donation came before Austin slashed police funding by $150 million, leading to surge in homicides

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Records show that Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico's campaign for state House in 2020 donated $2,500 to the Austin Justice Coalition, a group that sought to decrease the local police department's funding to the 'minimum possible' amount. Not long after Talarico's donation, the Austin City Council moved to cut $150 million — or about one-third of funding — from the local police budget, leading to a surge in homicides.

Why it matters

Talarico's donation to the group pushing police budget cuts has become a campaign issue, with Republicans accusing him of supporting 'defund the police' efforts that led to increased crime in Austin. The debate over police funding and public safety is a key issue in the Texas Senate race.

The details

Records show that Talarico's 2020 state House campaign donated $2,500 to the Austin Justice Coalition, which sought to decrease the local police department's funding to the 'minimum possible' amount. Not long after, the Austin City Council cut $150 million, or about one-third, from the police budget. Homicides then began to surge dramatically by nearly 50% in the city.

  • In June 2020, the Austin Justice Coalition called for decreasing the local police department's funding to the 'minimum possible' amount.
  • Talarico's campaign donated $2,500 to the Austin Justice Coalition in 2020.
  • Shortly after Talarico's donation, the Austin City Council cut $150 million, or about one-third, from the police budget in 2020.
  • Homicides in Austin then surged by nearly 50% in the year following the police budget cuts.

The players

James Talarico

A Texas Democratic Senate candidate who previously donated $2,500 to a group pushing to cut police funding in Austin.

Austin Justice Coalition

A group that sought to decrease the local police department's funding to the 'minimum possible' amount in Austin.

Austin City Council

The city council that moved to cut $150 million, or about one-third, from the local police budget in Austin.

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What they’re saying

“Now is the time to invest in a safe, liberated future for our city. We can't afford to keep funding APD's attacks on Black lives.”

— Austin Justice Coalition (Press release)

“After the murders of George Floyd and Javier Ambler, our campaign proudly donated to a well-respected civil rights organization in our community that champions educational equity, economic opportunity, and police reform. We did it publicly, and asked our supporters to match our donation. Because we believe #BlackLivesMatter.”

— James Talarico (Twitter)

“Republicans tried to beat me with 'Defund the Police' scare tactics in 2020. Now they're doing the same thing in Austin's city election. The only way to achieve true public safety is to invest directly in communities. Choose hope over fear today. Defeat Prop A. #NoWayPropA.”

— James Talarico (Twitter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.