Texas Senate Candidate Critiques School Voucher Supporters
James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Texas, referred to advocates of private school vouchers as Christian nationalists. During a recent event at South by Southwest in Austin, he stated, “As part of this Christian nationalist movement, they’re pushing for private school vouchers.”
Talarico elaborated, pointing out that while many might not be familiar with this issue, it’s a strategy aimed at redirecting tax dollars from already underfunded public schools. He noted that Texas is currently ranked 43rd nationally in terms of per-student education funding. “So essentially, you’re diverting funds from classrooms to private schools, which are often unaccountable—mostly Christian private schools,” he added.
He emphasized that this movement contributes to blurring the lines between church and state, mentioning that Texas Governor Greg Abbott prioritized this issue in the previous legislative session.
Breitbart News indicated that some Democrats running against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton have also described the term “Christian nationalist” as a tactic used by the left to distract and intimidate voters.
In their coverage, Breitbart noted that “Christian nationalism” has become a trendy term among Democrats and strategists, aiming to amplify it through various media channels.
Furthermore, Breitbart reported on a voucher bill signed by Governor Abbott that established a $1 billion school choice program, which is set to launch in late 2026. Abbott expressed optimism about this development, saying, “Gone are the days when families could only attend schools assigned by the government. The day has come when parents can choose the best school for their child.” This law will enable parents to cover tuition and related expenses at accredited private institutions, taking effect on September 1st.
An earlier report by Breitbart highlighted research showing that school vouchers had a positive impact on both public and private school performance. Talarico, meanwhile, has also expressed support for abortion rights, labeled displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools as “violent,” suggested that God is “non-binary,” and stated that “modern science” acknowledges six genders.
