Texas politics took a surprising turn this week after Democratic State Rep. James Talarico defeated fellow Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the party’s primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican John Cornyn, setting up a closely watched general election race.
Talarico, a former public school teacher who is also studying at a Presbyterian seminary, has built a political profile that blends progressive politics with religious language. Over the years, however, several of his theological and political statements have sparked sharp criticism from conservative leaders and religious groups.
One of the most widely circulated remarks came during a 2021 debate in the Texas Legislature over legislation restricting gender transition procedures for minors. During that debate, Talarico argued that some lawmakers were misusing scripture to justify policies he opposed.
“The first two lines of Genesis use two different Hebrew words to describe God,” Talarico said during the debate. “One is the masculine Hebrew noun for divinity, the second is the feminine Hebrew noun for spirit. God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between. God is nonbinary.”
Talarico has also drawn attention for comments he made during a July 2025 appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” where he discussed how biblical themes might relate to the abortion debate. Referencing the Gospel of Luke and the story of Mary, he argued that the biblical narrative emphasizes consent.
Texas Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico says atheists are more Christ-like than Christians:
TALARICO: “I have met so many Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics who are more Christ-like than some of the Christians I serve with.” pic.twitter.com/3Hmz9YbdwY
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 30, 2026
“Before God comes over Mary and we have the incarnation, God asks for Mary’s consent,” Talarico said. “To me that is an affirmation in one of our most central stories that creation has to be done with consent.”
He added during the interview that he respects differing theological views on abortion, including those held by religious leaders.
“If Pope Francis were to come back and sit at this table and tell me, ‘James, I’m pro-life and anti-abortion, here’s my theological argument,’ I am here to listen and respect that opinion,” Talarico said.
Pope Francis, before his death, repeatedly condemned abortion in strong terms, describing it as a grave moral wrong and comparing it to hiring a hitman in remarks made during a 2024 press conference and other public appearances.
Talarico has also criticized some conservative Christian political rhetoric. In a January appearance on the podcast “Politics War Room” hosted by Democratic strategist James Carville, he suggested that people of other faiths—and even nonbelievers—sometimes demonstrate values he associates with the teachings of Jesus.
“I have met so many Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics who are more Christ-like than some of the Christians I serve with,” he said.
Other statements from Talarico have drawn scrutiny as well. During a sermon at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, he argued that transgender individuals should have access to abortion services, and during a 2021 legislative hearing he suggested there are six genders.
Republican officials quickly seized on those comments following his primary victory. Republican National Committee spokesman Zach Kraft sharply criticized Talarico, arguing his views are far outside the political mainstream in Texas.
“James Talarico is a woke nutjob,” Kraft said. “Texas will not break its 32-year Republican streak to elect a man obsessed with telling the world that ‘God is nonbinary’ and that there are six genders.”
The Democratic National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the controversy surrounding Talarico’s remarks.
