Former President Barack Obama appeared with James Talarico in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday, aiming to boost the rising Democratic star in his uphill bid to flip a U.S. Senate seat in the reliably Republican state.

The appearance, at a restaurant across from the University of Texas, was part of Mr. Obama’s effort to elevate a new generation of Democratic leaders as the party heads into the 2026 midterms, a highly competitive year for control of the U.S. House and, potentially, the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Obama arrived at the restaurant, Taco Joint, and met with Mr. Talarico and Gina Hinojosa, a Democratic state representative challenging Greg Abbott, who is running for a fourth term as governor.

“Do you know our outstanding next governor and senator?” Mr. Obama said as he went from table to table introducing himself to patrons who appeared to be fans of the former president — some shocked to see him — and members of Ms. Hinojosa and Mr. Talarico’s staff and immediate family.

Mr. Talarico, 36, a state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, has been building a national profile for his combination of progressive politics and vocal Christian faith. Ms. Hinojosa is facing long odds against the incumbent, who has already amassed a campaign war chest of nearly $100 million.

Tuesday’s event mirrored a recent appearance by Mr. Obama with Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a childcare center in New York last month. But whereas that event came after Mr. Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, had been in office more than three months, the appearance of Mr. Obama with Mr. Talarico and Ms. Hinojosa came amid what is likely to be a hard-fought and expensive election battle until November.

The candidates and Mr. Obama spent around 30 minutes making small talk. Mostly, the diners wanted to meet and pose for photos with Mr. Obama, and Mr. Talarico took a few pictures for them.

The event stopped short of an explicit endorsement, and none of the three made formal remarks.

“Remember to vote,” Mr. Obama called out as he left the restaurant with a bag that included two street tacos and one mole taco.

Much like Mr. Obama, Mr. Talarico has attempted to build bridges across party lines, courting centrist voters and independents with a message centered around “love.”

He has presented his candidacy as an alternative to the viciously partisan politics of the moment, and has attracted some support among Republicans disaffected by the direction of their party under President Trump.

Unlike Mr. Obama, Mr. Talarico has yet to build a strong following among Black voters, a major bloc in Texas and one that is crucial for any Democrat hoping to win statewide. Mr. Talarico defeated U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett in the March primary, but lost to her by wide margins among Black voters.

Since then, Mr. Talarico has worked to strengthen his standing with the Black community, speaking at churches and delivering the commencement address to a historically Black college, Paul Quinn, in Dallas.

“You will be the cornerstone of a new world built on unshakable things,” he told graduating students at the college this month.

Mr. Talarico has looked to move beyond any lingering bitterness among Black voters from the waning days of the Democratic primary, when a Black lawmaker from the Dallas area, Colin Allred, attacked Mr. Talarico for comments that Mr. Allred saw as dismissive.

The appearance with Mr. Obama on Tuesday could help bolster that effort.

Mr. Obama ordered several different tacos, looking for a sampling.

Mr. Talarico did not have to order because the staff already knew his usual: “Potato egg and cheese, two?” He has been a regular at the restaurant since studying at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary nearby.

“I come here a lot,” Mr. Talarico explained to Mr. Obama.

“I can see that,” Mr. Obama replied.

Democrats are confident about their chances to win in some traditionally Republican states in this year’s midterms, as voters express dissatisfaction with high prices and President Trump’s performance.

“Small businesses are disappearing here in Austin,” said Lilia Valdez, the manager of Taco Joint. “We need a change here in Texas.”

While Texas remains a long shot, party leaders believe their chances could improve in the state if Republican primary voters chose Attorney General Ken Paxton, a polarizing figure who has faced corruption allegations, over Senator John Cornyn, the four-term incumbent.

In recent weeks, Mr. Talarico has met voters and raised significant campaign cash while Mr. Cornyn and Mr. Paxton remain locked in a contentious and costly primary runoff until May 26. Both Republicans have courted an endorsement from President Trump.

But on Tuesday, it was Mr. Talarico who received the support of a president, albeit one without a record of winning statewide in Texas.