Progressive candidates aiming for Senate seats are borrowing a strategy from Republicans, utilizing faith as a way to connect with voters.
Among these candidates are Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Texas state Rep. James Talarico. They are known for challenging the Democratic establishment, gaining attention in the current midterm elections.
Interestingly, they’ve woven their religious beliefs into their campaign messages, reminiscent of the “Moral Majority” coalition that emerged in the late 1970s during Ronald Reagan’s presidential run, when the GOP sought to align their policies with Christian values.
Nixon, who recently surprised many by defeating Alexander Vindman—a prominent figure during Trump’s first impeachment backed by the Democratic establishment—has become a target for Republicans due to her ties with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
During a sermon at Jacksonville, Florida’s Saint Paul AME Church last week, she asserted that her views align closely with those of Jesus Christ.
“They are trying to label me as an extremist, a radical. But, you know, Jesus was a radical,” Nixon stated, making a pointed analogy.
“He fought for the same issues I’m addressing today. We’re in a civil rights moment whether people want to accept that or not,” she emphasized.
Nixon, who joined the DSA in June, faced criticism from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which linked her to socialism, despite her insistence that she doesn’t identify as a Democratic socialist.
El-Sayed has also made similar parallels during his campaign in Michigan. In a May podcast appearance, he highlighted Jesus when discussing his own policy views. He pointed out that Jesus was also seen as radical in his time.
“There’s something radical about standing firm in a corrupt era,” he remarked. “Popularity doesn’t dictate truth, and we’re living in times where corruption is being normalized.”
Talarico, perhaps the most vocal about his faith, is currently in a competitive race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. He’s been taking seminary classes with intentions of becoming a Presbyterian minister, often integrating his Christian beliefs into political discussions.
Republicans have seized on Talarico’s faith as a vulnerability, especially concerning his stance on transgender rights.
In 2021, while opposed to a new anti-trans bill in Texas, Talarico suggested that the justification for such legislation was rooted in “God’s law.”
He pointed out, “The first two lines of Genesis use different Hebrew words for God—one masculine and one feminine. God embodies both, and everything in between.”
Talarico asserted, “God is non-binary,” setting him apart in the discussion.
