Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico greets supporters at his election night watch party in South Austin Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Lesa Haney, left, Beth Fuston, right, and supporters react to election results at Texas Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico’s election night watch party in South Austin Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks Monday in Fort Worth, the first stop on the Texas leg of his “Arsenal of Freedom” tour. Later in Starbase, he said the Pentagon was adding Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence tool Grok into Pentagon networks.
Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram
During a podcast episode last week that veered into talk of James Talarico’s death, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s pastor said he wants state Rep. James Talarico “crucified with Christ.”
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
A pastor with ties to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew criticism after comments about Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico on a podcast in which the discussion included prayers about God “killing him.”
Brooks Potteiger, an evangelical pastor at Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship in Tennessee — Hegseth’s home church — criticized Talarico during a recent episode of the podcast “Reformation Red Pill.”
Article continues below this ad
The podcast, which says it aims to “raise up a new generation of Christian conservatives” and “Make America Christian again,” is hosted by Joshua Haymes, a former pastoral intern at the church.
During the episode, Haymes said he prayed “that God kills him,” later adding he meant “killing his heart and raising him up to new life in Christ.”
After that comment, Potteiger said he wanted Talarico to be “crucified with Christ,” according to the podcast.
Talarico responds to podcast comments
Talarico, an Austin Democrat and state representative, responded to the remarks on X.
Article continues below this ad
“Jesus loves. Christian Nationalism kills,” he wrote. “You may pray for my death, Pastor, but I still love you.”
“I love you more than you could ever hate me,” he added.
Talarico recently secured the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Since then, he has faced criticism from some Republicans over past comments about his religious beliefs.
Article continues below this ad
Talarico is a Presbyterian seminarian and often incorporates faith into his public messaging.
Security increased at Talarico’s church
Talarico’s home church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in North Austin, has increased security in response to heightened attention surrounding his campaign.
Pastor Jim Rigby said in a Facebook post that the church has temporarily hired plainclothes security.
Article continues below this ad
“Most of that attention has been positive, but, because we have also received some hostile press and an influx of negative communication, we have temporarily hired plainclothes security as a safety precaution,” Rigby wrote.
He added that church leaders are evaluating longer-term security measures.
“We want you to know your safety is very important to us and we are doing all we can to protect you,” Rigby said.
Pastor’s ties to Hegseth
Hegseth has appeared on multiple episodes of the podcast and has publicly supported it.
Article continues below this ad
Last year, Hegseth invited Potteiger to the Pentagon to lead a prayer service, where the pastor described former President Donald Trump as a divinely appointed leader.
Hegseth said he hoped to make the prayer service a regular event.
Potteiger’s church is part of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a conservative network of congregations.
Article continues below this ad
The denomination holds traditional views on gender roles and LGBTQ+ issues, including limiting leadership roles to men and describing same-sex relationships as “unbiblical.”