Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico engaged in a discussion with Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, asserting that the Bible offers no clear stance on abortion.
Talarico, who identifies as a Christian, noted that some Presbyterian seminarians have used their beliefs to justify abortion. Jamie Khan Lima mentioned that political figures should not focus on this issue.
“I don’t think this is the right arena for our nation,” Talarico stated. “And it’s not that I’m against my faith—it’s actually rooted in it. Jesus didn’t address abortion directly. The Bible doesn’t say much on abortion. So when it comes to such a critical social issue, we need to consider the entire context of our faith.”
He emphasized, “We need to grapple with ethical choices. Right now, Texas has one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Young girls, sometimes as young as 10, who have been victims of these atrocious acts, are denied access to essential reproductive healthcare.”
This isn’t the first time Talarico has voiced support for abortion rights. He previously urged President Biden to utilize federal buildings in conservative states to provide abortions following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Talarico, who took office in the Texas House in 2018, also applies his Christian beliefs to advocate for transgender rights—a view that arguably contradicts traditional views on gender. He once stated on the House floor, “God is non-binary,” while opposing legislation aimed at protecting women’s sports.
“God embodies both masculinity and femininity, along with everything in between,” he explained. “God doesn’t represent a binary concept. All children are God’s children, made in His likeness.”
He frequently refers to women as his “neighbors with a womb,” expressing particular concern when the Roe v. Wade ruling was overturned, which shifted abortion regulation back to state governance.
“All our neighbors with wombs have become property of the state,” he contended.
In another discussion, Talarico spoke about how “our neighbors with wombs” should be entitled to “control their own bodies,” a phrase often used in discussions about abortion rights.
