After Democrats reclaimed control of both chambers in the 2026 midterms, Senator-elect James Talarico urged the party to work with President Trump during his final two years in office, saying Americans cannot wait for change.

Speaking at the Democrats’ “What’s Next” conference in Denver, Talarico framed the result as a mandate for action and balanced government, not a demand to make Texas entirely Democratic.

He argued that Trump says he cares about working people, creating common ground for action, and said he would choose hope over cynicism even if cooperation failed.

Talarico appealed to Trump’s interest in his legacy, suggesting Democrats could help him achieve a record of productive governance comparable to Lyndon B. Johnson’s.

Talarico’s priorities include universal health care, immigration reform, building millions of homes, reducing money’s influence in politics, regulating artificial intelligence, and ending “forever wars.”

He also called for immediate relief amid the affordability crisis, changes to systems he says favor the wealthy, and a ban on gerrymandering.

The approach reflects Talarico’s effort to unite voters who supported Trump and those seeking protection from him, while testing whether he can bridge divisions and remain an effective political fighter.

An AP voter poll found Talarico won about two-thirds of moderates, most independents, and roughly one in 10 Republicans who voted in the Senate race.

Democratic strategist Lis Smith cautioned that the results were more a rebuke of Trump than an endorsement of Democrats’ policies, urging the party to focus on costs and corruption rather than assume voters support proposals they did not campaign on.

Iowa Gov.-elect Rob Sand likewise urged Democrats to prioritize tangible help for people facing high costs over investigations or impeachment.

The prospect of cooperation remains uncertain: Trump has alternated between praising Democrats’ victories and attacking them, while Democratic leaders have left room for bipartisan deals but also promised investigations and possible impeachment proceedings.

Trump’s elevation of Stephen Miller to chief of staff has further fueled expectations of a more combative relationship with the new Congress.