Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has drawn criticism for remarks made in a June 2023 interview where he discussed his church housing undocumented immigrants facing deportation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In the interview on Texas Impact's "Weekly Witness" show, Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian and state representative, stated that his faith is the reason he entered politics. He cited his church's history of engaging in progressive causes, including housing an undocumented mother and son who were close to being deported. Talarico laughed as he remarked, "Christianity is just another word for causing trouble."
He also used the interview to criticize what he termed "Christo-fascism" and the religious right, accusing them of attempting to undermine democracy by imposing a specific form of Christianity. Talarico pointed to Texas laws requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, allowing schools to hire chaplains instead of guidance counselors, and the state's school voucher program as examples of this ideology. He also referenced laws banning gender-affirming care for minors and Texas' abortion ban.
"All these ideologies stem from this Christo-fascism movement, which, essentially, like I said, is just using faith to exercise raw political, social and economic power," Talarico said in the interview. "I think it's dangerous to all of us, but particularly to those who are marginalized and oppressed in our state."
Republicans have responded to the resurfaced remarks. Zach Kraft, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, stated that Talarico is a "dangerous man" and accused him of working to dismantle border security and defund the police. Ken Paxton's campaign spokeswoman, Madison Cercy, asserted that Talarico "hates Christianity" and practices a form that sacrifices children for the "radical trans movement."
In response, Talarico's campaign spokesperson, JT Ennis, defended Talarico, calling him a Christian seminarian dedicated to Jesus Christ's teachings. Ennis stated that Talarico "will continue encouraging Texans across the political spectrum to come together by loving their neighbors as themselves." Ennis also claimed that Republican attacks are "flat out lies," asserting that Talarico opposes defunding the police, supports stronger border security and immigration enforcement, and has voted for funding to support law enforcement and called for more border patrol agents. Ennis also criticized Ken Paxton's record.
Talarico is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a race considered critical for both parties. Despite the controversy surrounding his statements, Talarico has led Paxton in a recent Fox News poll.