Lieutenant Governor Criticizes Democratic Candidate

During his speech at the 2026 Texas Republican Party convention, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a Republican, addressed themes of God and divine consequences. He labeled Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico as a radical blasphemer who needs prayer.

Patrick anticipated backlash from the media for his references to Jesus and his support for God. He remarked, “James Talarico decided to bring the Bible into this election. That’s not the Bible I’ve ever read. I’ve never seen so much blasphemy from a candidate.”

Patrick forcefully declared, “That’s darkness.”

Talarico, a part-time Presbyterian seminarian, has been involved in various controversial issues, including:

• Using the Bible to justify abortion.
• Preaching at a church that describes abortion as a “blessing.”
• Protesting the public display of the Ten Commandments.
• Discussing the interpretation of the role of Jesus and its relation to feminism.
• Advocating to keep the Bible out of schools.
• Critiquing certain curricula as “un-Christian.”
• Raising concerns among traditional Christian communities.
• Voting against measures aimed at protecting children from gender-based surgeries, claiming there are six genders.

Recently, Talarico has attempted to soften his public persona, even posing with meat after previously expressing strong views regarding animal rights and climate change. It’s, perhaps, an indication of his tactical shift in response to criticism.

In 2021, he made headlines when he publicly stated that “God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between,” particularly in the context of prohibiting male athletes from participating in K-12 girls’ sports.

In a recent interview, Talarico admitted that some of his earlier comments on religion were “offensive” and “deliberately intended to provoke.”

Patrick, unconvinced by Talarico’s changing stance, remarked, “I’m going to pray for that guy, because when he loses the Senate race and he campaigns against God like he has, he’s definitely going to go to hell. That’s what we’re up against. That’s the darkness.”

Talarico responded on social media, accusing Patrick of prioritizing donors over the well-being of vulnerable communities, saying, “When you worship power, love feels like blasphemy.”

Recent comments from Paxton, who refers to Talarico with terms like “Tofu Talarico,” deem him a threat to traditional values in Texas.

Two recent polls show a tight race, with Paxton leading Talarico by 2% in one survey. Other polls suggest the candidates may be neck and neck.