TEXAS — State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, challenged the congregation at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago to think about how Jesus would approach the current political climate. He gave this sermon during the House Democratic Caucus quorum break this summer in protest of the Texas congressional map redraw.

“I don’t think Jesus would endorse the Democratic or Republican Party platforms,” he said. “I think He would challenge all of us to work toward a radical vision of democracy in this country.”

What You Need To Know

The seminary student never shied away from faith debates during legislative sessions as Christian nationalism grew in Texas with laws mandating the Ten Commandments and prayer in certain schools. Even as the Democrat entered the U.S. Senate race with a sermon-style speech outside a church, he told Spectrum News he doesn’t want to put a label on his faith

Those who are closely following the Senate race think Talarico’s religious appeal could help him if he makes it to the general election

Some Republicans push back against Talarico’s interpretation of the Christian doctrine. State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, wrote on X that Talarico isn’t reading the same Bible he is, calling his values “unTexan”

Talarico says he sees his religion as being linked to his policy goals

The seminary student never shied away from faith debates during legislative sessions as Christian nationalism grew in Texas with laws mandating the Ten Commandments and prayer in certain schools. Even as the Democrat entered the U.S. Senate race with a sermon-style speech outside a church, he told Spectrum News he doesn’t want to put a label on his faith.

“I’ve tried very deliberately not to talk about a progressive kind of Christianity or a conservative Christianity or a Democratic or Republican Christianity, because there’s only one Christianity that we all belong to, one body of Christ. And so I don’t like putting qualifiers on my faith,” said Talarico in a phone interview.

Talarico is running against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, whose faith is not central to his campaign, but who has visited churches while on the campaign trail. Those who are closely following the Senate race think Talarico’s religious appeal could help him if he makes it to the general election.

“The place where he’s trying to make inroads is among the moderate to conservative Christian voters who have become such a critical bulwark of the Republican coalition. And it may well convince some people on the Democratic side that he would be able to draw some people into their coalition who have not typically supported Democrats,” said Matthew Wilson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University.

Talarico’s messaging resonates with Zach Lambert, the lead pastor at Restore, a Methodist church in Austin. Lambert works to restore people’s trust in the Bible and church, something he says has been weaponized by exclusionary policies, and he appreciates Talarico’s approach to religion.

“We work with a lot of, like, Muslims and Jews and Buddhists, who feel similarly about, kind of social justice work and then also with people who would be ex-Christian of no faith at all. I think that we can build bridges around shared values,” said Lambert.

Some Republicans push back against Talarico’s interpretation of the Christian doctrine. State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, wrote on X that Talarico isn’t reading the same Bible he is, calling his values “unTexan.”

“They would criticize Talarico for having exactly the same position as secular Democrats on abortion, on transgender issues, on religion in schools, on the role of religion in public life. And so I think that the criticism that he will have to face and overcome is that his use of religion is rhetorical, but it doesn’t really translate into any distinctive policy or issue stances,” said Wilson.

But Talarico sees his religion as being linked to his policy goals.

“I am trying to love my neighbor through public policy by reducing the cost of prescription drugs, reducing the cost of child care, reducing the cost of housing. I’m trying to make my neighbor’s life a little easier through public policy,” he said.

Whether Talarico will be able to do that from Congress is to be seen.