Rev. Jim Rigby, the lead pastor at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin and the minister who baptized Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, addressed his congregation about the presence of undercover journalists following the release of videos that have intensified scrutiny of the church’s theological positions. The controversy centers on clips obtained by The Daily Wire showing church leadership expressing doubts about the historical existence of Jesus and distancing themselves from Talarico’s political campaign.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and critics view the videos as evidence that Talarico’s home church holds beliefs that are incompatible with mainstream Christianity, accusing the leadership of blasphemy. The Daily Wire reported that church leadership expressed doubts about whether Jesus ever existed and characterized Talarico’s political makeover as inauthentic. In one clip, Rigby stated, "His campaign has distanced from me completely," suggesting that Talarico’s advisors are steering him away from his theological roots to counter Christian nationalism.
Political analysts on the right argue that the controversy could negatively impact Talarico’s standing in the general election. One analyst noted that the revelations could cost the Democrat "a couple points" in his race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Conservative political consultant Ryan Girdusky reacted to the church’s use of puppets in a Bible story skit by tagging Talarico on X, stating, "If this was my church, I’d hate Christians too." Critics maintain that the pastor’s warning about "spies with hidden cameras" confirms a pattern of media entrapment against conservative values.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive observers and supporters of Rev. Rigby emphasize his message of inclusion and his critique of what he perceives as fear-based politics. In a sermon titled "Loving Through Difficult Times," Rigby argued that the MAGA movement is driven by anxiety rather than faith. "You can see it in the MAGA movement. If you’re afraid of everything that moves, you’re not going to be very loving," Rigby said. He specifically noted that fear of immigrants and families with transgender children undermines a loving community, stating, "You may think you’re alpha, but if you’re scared of your own shadow, that’s kind of a pathetic thing."
Rigby also acknowledged the challenges his congregation faces, asking members, "How many of y’all had to cross the picket line when you first got here?" He admitted that seminary training did not fully prepare clergy for the current political and cultural backlash, noting, "when I was in seminary, they didn’t really explain this part of it." The pastor maintained that his theological views, including the rejection of the virgin birth and the concept of atonement through death for sins, are consistent with his faith journey, even as they clash with conservative Christian norms.
What the Numbers Show
The controversy has emerged approximately 40 days before the general election, a period when voter attention is highest. The Daily Wire’s undercover reports feature Rev. Rigby, who has served as the lead pastor at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and personally baptized Talarico as a toddler. The videos show Rigby speaking to an undercover journalist, confirming that Talarico’s campaign has "distanced" itself from him.
The congregation is described in the reports as mostly white and older. Rigby’s sermon included a reference to the number of days remaining until the election, stating, "So we got 40-something days to the election." The reports highlight specific theological departures from traditional Christian doctrine, including the rejection of the virgin birth and the belief that Jesus died for humanity’s sins. The video clips have been circulated on social media platforms, including X, where they have generated significant engagement and commentary from political figures on both sides of the aisle.
The Bottom Line
The release of the undercover videos has placed James Talarico in a difficult position, forcing him to navigate the gap between his personal theological history and his current political identity. While his campaign appears to be distancing itself from the specific views of his home church, the connection remains a focal point for Republican attacks. Voters will likely watch to see if Talarico explicitly addresses these theological differences or if he continues to focus on his broader policy platform. The incident underscores the ongoing intersection of religious belief and political viability in Texas, where Christian nationalism remains a potent political force. With the election approaching, the impact of these videos on undecided voters in the Senate race remains a key metric for both campaigns.