Taco Policy

Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder on Affordability, Public Schools, and 2026

Kat Vargas — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:59:28 -0800

In this episode, Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder joins Kat Vargas to break down the biggest issues shaping the 2026 elections in Texas — affordability, public schools, vouchers, and the fight to rebuild Democratic power across the state.

Chair Scudder lays out why affordability and public education will define Texas politics in 2026, what real grassroots organizing looks like, and how Democrats can boost voter turnout in rural communities, the suburbs, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Kat and Chair Scudder also dig into Republican attacks on voting organizations, the statewide slate drama, what a real coordinated campaign should be, and why Texas Democrats must stop chasing the middle and start energizing their base.

It’s a candid, grounded look at what it will take to win — and what has to change to get there.

This is your seat at the table for the future of Texas. Welcome to Taco Policy.

Rep. Julie Johnson on the Shutdown, SNAP Cuts, and Health Care on the Line

Kat Vargas — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:03:37 -0800

As the government shutdown drags on, Congresswoman Julie Johnson joins Taco Policy to break down who’s really responsible—and what it means for Texans. We talk SNAP benefits, ACA subsidies, healthcare costs, and the growing moral crisis of using hunger as a political weapon. Plus, she weighs in on ICE oversight, LGBTQ rights in Texas, and what it takes to build a new blue wave.

Mihaela Plesa on Winning Texas’ Most Competitive District — and What It’ll Take to Flip the State

Kat Vargas — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0700

Rep. Mihaela Plesa joins Kat Vargas at Salsa Verde in Plano to talk about what it really takes to win Texas’ most competitive district — and why that fight matters for the future of the state. From knocking 10,000 doors to standing up to Governor Abbott, Plesa shares the grassroots blueprint for how Democrats can flip Collin County (and Texas) blue.

They dig into what voters actually care about versus what’s just online chatter, why consultants get it wrong, and how the work on the ground connects to this week’s national headlines — including the demolition of the White House East Wing for Trump’s vanity ballroom. Plesa also opens up about her family’s journey from communist Romania to North Texas and the warning signs she sees in today’s politics.

How Annie’s List and Vote Save America Are Rewriting Texas Politics

Kat Vargas — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:16:07 -0700

Isabel Longoria isn’t giving up on Texas—and neither should we. In this episode of Taco Policy, Kat Vargas of Howdy Politics sits down with Annie’s List Executive Director Isabel Longoria to talk about what it really takes to win in Texas. From Annie’s List’s new partnership with Vote Save America to a bold 2026 strategy focused on local races, rural organizing, and recruiting women candidates, Isabel shares how Democrats are building power for the long haul.

They dive into the data behind where progressives can win, the imposter syndrome that holds women back from running, and why putting your name on the ballot—win or lose—matters more than ever. Plus: tacos, Texas trivia, and why building bigger tables (not gatekeeping them) is the only way forward.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett on the Shutdown, Redistricting, and Her Future in Politics

Kat Vargas — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:42:41 -0700

Host Kat Vargas travels to Washington, D.C. during the government shutdown to sit down with Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. They talk about what’s really happening inside Congress, the court case against Republicans' racially gerrymandered congressional map, and how mentorship from Vice President Kamala Harris continues to guide Crockett’s fight for democracy.

From the shutdown chaos to the battle for fair maps, this conversation reveals what it takes to lead, and to keep showing up for Texans when the system tries to shut you out.

Pull up a chair: this is your seat at the table for the future of Texas.

James Talarico on Faith, Politics, and the Future of Texas

Kat Vargas — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:22:59 -0700

Host Kat Vargas travels to the Rio Grande Valley to sit down with Texas State Rep. James Talarico over tacos on the campaign trail. He shares how his journey of faith and service shaped his decision to run for U.S. Senate—and why this race could redefine Texas politics for a generation. At a historic tortilleria in McAllen, the conversation spans the rise of Christian nationalism, billionaire influence in politics, and the corruption threatening American democracy.

This isn’t just another interview—it’s a must-listen conversation about the future of Texas, and the fight for a government that works for all of us.

Pull up a chair: this is your seat at the table for the future of Texas.

Introducing: Taco Policy with Kat Vargas

Kat Vargas — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 22:57:48 -0700

Let’s be real: Texas politics may be a hellscape, but that’s not the whole story. For every extremist headline, there are Texans fighting back — and in those fighters, you’ll find hope. Taco Policy is where those stories get told: a Texas politics podcast that’s smart, sharp, and a little spicy too.

Each week, host Kat Vargas of Howdy Politics travels to taquerías across the state to sit down with elected officials, organizers, and everyday Texans making change in their communities. Over tacos, they’ll dig into what’s really happening in Texas politics this week and the issues that matter most — from school funding and healthcare to voting rights, the cost of living, and the fight for democracy itself.

Taco Policy premieres Tuesday, September 30th, with new episodes dropping weekly. Follow now to claim your seat at the table for the future of Texas.