New Actor: Obama boosts Hinojosa in Austin

Former President Barack Obama made a surprise stop at Taco Joint near the University of Texas in Austin, joining Gina Hinojosa and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico for lunch. The three moved booth to booth for about 30 minutes, talking with diners about topics from voting to data centers and posing for photos with a mostly younger crowd.

Obama introduced the pair to patrons as "our outstanding next governor and senator" and, as he left, called out, "Remember to vote!" He did not give formal remarks or make an official endorsement during the visit.

Obama ordered a sampling of street, fish, mole and shrimp tacos and paid in cash. Hinojosa ordered two street tacos without onions, and Talarico got his usual two potato, egg and cheese breakfast tacos. Talarico’s family joined the stop, and Obama signed a children’s book for the candidate’s baby niece with a message to dream big.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources