James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, is facing renewed scrutiny after a resurfaced 2023 interview revealed he discussed his church's involvement in housing an undocumented family who were close to being deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian and current state representative, is challenging Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the Senate seat in a race that both parties consider competitive.
The interview aired on Texas Impact's 'Weekly Witness' show in June 2023. During the conversation about how his faith influences his politics, Talarico cited his church's history of progressive causes, including LGBTQ rights advocacy and allowing an atheist to join the congregation. He described housing the undocumented mother and son as part of that tradition.
"Our church was really active in LGBTQ rights in the 90's, we caught some attention by letting an atheist join our church in the 2000's, and then in the 2010's again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE," Talarico said. "That was the tradition that I was brought up in."
He added: "This idea that Christianity is just another word for causing trouble."
What the Right Is Saying
Republicans have sharply criticized Talarico following the resurfaced interview. Republican National Committee spokesman Zach Kraft called Talarico a "dangerous man" who has "dedicated his life to helping illegals by dismantling border security, defunding police, and abolishing prisons."
Madison Cercy, a spokesperson for Paxton's campaign, said: "In Talarico's form of Christianity, you must be trans, you can't support the oil and gas industry, you must support late-term abortions, and you have to let in every criminal illegal immigrant seeking asylum. James Talarico hates Christianity, and he's said it."
The criticism extends beyond immigration. Republicans have highlighted other controversial statements Talarico has made, including that "God is nonbinary" and comments about what he called "Christo-fascism" in Texas politics.
What the Left Is Saying
Talarico's campaign defended his faith-based activism as consistent with Christian teachings about helping those in need. Campaign spokesperson JT Ennis said Talarico has dedicated his life to "the teachings of Jesus Christ" and fighting corruption.
"James opposes defunding the police and supports stronger border security and immigration enforcement — it's why he's voted to send billions of dollars to support law enforcement, called for more border patrol agents, and has said we should be arresting and deporting violent criminals and human traffickers — not moms and babies," Ennis said in a statement.
Ennis characterized Republican attacks as "flat out lies" and pointed to Paxton's legal troubles, including his recent acquittal on impeachment charges. "Ken Paxton's fellow Republicans have blasted his record of abusing his office to benefit his wealthy donors," Ennis added.
What the Numbers Show
Despite Republican efforts to highlight Talarico's progressive record, a recent Fox News poll shows him leading Paxton in the Senate race. The competitive nature of the contest has made it a top target for both national parties heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Texas is among several states where Democrats have sought to capitalize on suburban voters' concerns about abortion rights and election denial rhetoric following the 2020 presidential election results, which former President Donald Trump contested unsuccessfully in courts. The Senate seat could determine control of the chamber's narrow majority.
The Bottom Line
The resurfaced interview adds a new dimension to an already competitive race. Talarico has positioned himself as a candidate who combines progressive policy positions with faith-based messaging, arguing that his Christian values compel him to advocate for immigration reform and social justice.
Republicans are betting that tying Talarico to more left-wing positions will erode his support among moderate voters in the traditionally Republican-leaning state. Both parties are expected to invest heavily in Texas as they compete for Senate control.
Voters will decide whether Talarico's emphasis on his faith-based motivation for public service resonates more than Republican attacks linking him to progressive policies they characterize as extreme.