Taco Policy

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...

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.

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 ve...

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 ,...

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...

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 in...

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...