Texas Senate Nominee Accused of 'Perverting' Bible to Justify Progressive Agenda

Texas Senate nominee James Talarico has been accused of twisting biblical teachings to support his progressive policy agenda, particularly his advocacy for universal healthcare. Jim Agresti, president and co-founder of Just Facts, stated that Talarico is presenting a "perverted version" of Christianity and is misrepresenting both the Bible and the U.S. Constitution.

Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, recently asserted on social media that his support for universal healthcare and opposition to what he calls a "corrupt system" are biblically grounded. He cited Jesus' actions, such as healing the sick without charging deductibles and feeding the hungry without price gouging, as justification.

"When Jesus healed the sick, he didn't ask for a deductible. So when I fight for universal healthcare, I'm doing it on biblical grounds," Talarico wrote in an X post. "When he fed the hungry, he didn't price gouge for a profit. When the Hebrew prophets saw corruption, they spoke truth to power. When I take on this corrupt system, I'm doing it on biblical grounds."

Agresti countered these claims, arguing that Talarico's interpretations are a misrepresentation of scripture. "He's perverting the words of Jesus, and he's also flouting the U.S. Constitution," Agresti told Fox News Digital. Agresti, who also preaches and has written about the Bible, stated that he found over 50 passages concerning generosity toward those in need, none of which advocated for government handouts. He emphasized that these passages describe self-sacrificing, voluntary generosity, citing the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example where individuals acted out of personal volition, not government mandate.

Agresti further contended that Talarico's support for taxpayer-funded universal healthcare is contrary to biblical principles, as it involves taking money from others rather than giving one's own. He also noted that both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are rooted in biblical principles, with the former stating that governments exist to secure God-given rights and the latter limiting government power.

This is not the first time Talarico has drawn criticism for his religious remarks. In 2021, he stated that "God is non-binary" on the Texas House floor, described Jesus as a "radical feminist," and called the overturning of Roe v. Wade "unchristian."

Talarico is currently campaigning in a high-stakes Texas Senate race against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, with the general election scheduled for November.

In response, Talarico campaign spokesperson JT Ennis stated, "James is a Christian seminarian who’s dedicated his life to the teachings of Jesus Christ — fighting corruption when he sees it because there’s nothing Christ-like about powerful people using scripture to justify hate and greed and score political points. While billionaire-bought politicians like Ken Paxton attack James for his faith — he will continue encouraging Texans to come together by loving their neighbors as themselves."