Texas Senate Candidate Talarico Discusses Controversial Comments

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Texas, reflected on remarks he made about God during a recent appearance on a podcast. He described them as “provocative,” later justifying them as both political and theological statements.

In a speech back in 2021 at the Texas Legislature, Talarico had stated, “God is non-binary,” while criticizing Republican legislation targeting youth sports and transgender issues. He noted on the podcast that while the comment may have been politically provocative, he didn’t view it as theologically controversial. “Most Christians believe that God transcends gender,” he mentioned, adding a biblical reference from the apostle Paul: “In Christ there is neither male nor female.” He suggested that any dissenters should consult the source of this quote.

The podcast host, Tim Miller, highlighted this exchange as part of their discussion, which touched on Talarico’s motivations and experiences in the Texas legislature—where he described being overwhelmed by the actions of extremist lawmakers.

As he expands his campaign following a primary victory against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Talarico, 36, is preparing to face the winner of a contentious Republican runoff between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, marking the first attempt by a Democrat to win a Senate race in Texas in nearly four decades.

During the podcast, Talarico didn’t hold back in critiquing his opponents. He accused Paxton of misusing his office for personal gain, remarking on the need for new representation in Washington. Additionally, he expressed a desire to eliminate the Senate filibuster, advocating for a more effective governance structure. “I think the filibuster should be abolished so that we can actually govern this country,” he argued, emphasizing that people want clarity on key votes.

When asked about appealing to Black voters, Talarico stressed his commitment to earning their trust. He pointed to Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock as a key example of how to succeed in a challenging political landscape, indicating that Texas Democrats might adopt similar strategies.