The race between James Talarico and Republican Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton, was set earlier this month after Paxton — endorsed by President Donald Trump but carrying the baggage of divorce and allegations of extramarital affairs — easily defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
Talarico has publicly presented himself as a Christian in several ways — through church sermons, seminary studies, interviews, legislative speeches, campaign messaging, and media appearances.
But Talarico promotes positions that are at odds with biblical teachings such as describing God as “both masculine and feminine and everything in between.” There can be “in between” genders, Talarico explains, because there are more than two genders. There are at least six, he says.
Earlier this year, in an appearance on “The Ezra Klein Show” podcast, he seemed to indicate a belief in multiple paths to eternal life, not only through faith in Jesus Christ.
“I believe that Jesus Christ reveals that reality to us, but I also believe that other traditions reveal that reality in their own ways, with their own simple structures. And I’ve learned more about my tradition by learning more about Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam and Judaism. And so, I see these beautiful faith traditions as circling the same truth about the universe, about the cosmos,” he said.
Talarico has also used the Bible to defend his pro-abortion views.
Blaze host Auron MacIntyre speaking on American Family Radio Monday highlighted a recent example of a powerful politician who’s supposed faith beliefs and political record failed to align.
“I think as we've all seen from the Biden era and many others simply calling yourself a Christian, or a faithful Catholic in the case of Joe Biden, doesn't mean anything if it's not reflected in any way shape or form in your actual views,” MacIntyre told show host Jenna Ellis.
Talarico has opposed Republican-backed Texas legislation restricting gender-transition treatments for minors and has spoken against bills banning certain medical procedures for transgender youth.
While debating the merits of Texas Senate Bill 14 in 2023, which banned puberty blockers, hormone treatments and gender-manipulation surgeries for minors, Talarico argued that transgender children are in a vulnerable position, that parents and doctors should make medical decisions and that lawmakers should not intervene.
Texas eventually banned gender-manipulation treatments and procedures, even if the nation’s largest hospital for minors did not immediately comply.
Federal law also prohibited such actions once Trump’s second term began.
Texas Children’s Hospital backtracked from so-called "gender-affirming care" after paying $10 million in a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this month.
Paxton’s office has been the tip of the spear against Texas Children’s Hospital, twice opening investigations into its practices.
Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen’s last term. Bentsen served from 1971-1993.
The Christianity card won’t help Talarico among discerning Texas voters, MacIntyre predicts.
“Talarico can say or couch all of these horrific positions in some kind of twisted version of Christianity but that doesn't mean they should be taken any more seriously.”
In a spring podcast interview, Talarico was asked to name something he loves other than family and friends.
Misguided 'love' for trans children
He responded immediately with transgender children, noting a group that had recently visited the Texas capitol building.
“I love … the trans children who showed up yesterday at the state Capitol to advocate for their humanity. They shouldn’t have to, but it was an inspiration to watch,” he said.
“When someone asks you what you love that's not your family or your dog or something and the first thing that pops in his brain is trans kids … I mean that says something very deep about who this person is,” MacIntyre said.
Paxton’s views compared to Talarico’s willingness to encourage gender confused children rather than assist them in seeking meaningful help — not to mention Talarico’s eagerness to advance the abortion agenda — should be deciding factors for conservatives in November.
Now matter how often Talarico tries to reconcile his politics with his Creator.
“There’s obviously really no choice here you can't support somebody who's out there pushing for the mutilation of children because he thinks that's some twisted version of God's love,” MacIntyre said.
