James Talarico Cites His Christianity In Service of Trendy Progressive Positions

When Jasmine Crockett announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Texas in December, I immediately did two things: (1) celebrated riotously; (2) began reading up on her remaining opponent in the Democratic primary, Austin-area state legislator James Talarico. I had a feeling that Crockett might blow this race — I long ago accurately took her measure as a genuine counterfeit, a media-generated hologram — and I knew for a fact that the Democratic establishment would be putting its finger on the scales for Talarico, to salvage the chance of a shot at the seat.

Before I started checking up on Talarico, I was aware only that he was a progressive Presbyterian seminarian (studies currently on hold) who had once announced his belief that “God is nonbinary” on the floor of the Texas House. Armed only with my knowledge of what progressive Presbyterians are like (that is, self-defeatingly, publicly obnoxious), I then went to YouTube looking for ammunition. I found a sermon he delivered in 2023, warning against the dangers of “Christian Nationalism” (subtitle: “God Is Not a Christian”) and instantly came away with the belief that he was toast no matter who the Republican nominee was.

About the Author

Jeffrey Blehar

Jeffrey Blehar is a National Review staff writer living in Chicago. He is also the co-host of National Review’s Political Beats podcast, which explores the great music of the modern era with guests from the political world happy to find something non-political to talk about.

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When Jasmine Crockett announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Texas in December, I immediately did two things: (1) celebrated riotously; (2) began reading up on her remaining opponent in the Democratic primary, Austin-area state legislator James Talarico. I had a feeling that Crockett might blow this race — I long ago accurately took her measure as a genuine counterfeit, a media-generated hologram — and I knew for a fact that the Democratic establishment would be putting its finger on the scales for Talarico, to salvage the chance of a shot at the seat.

Before I started checking up on Talarico, I was aware only that he was a progressive Presbyterian seminarian (studies currently on hold) who had once announced his belief that “God is nonbinary” on the floor of the Texas House. Armed only with my knowledge of what progressive Presbyterians are like (that is, self-defeatingly, publicly obnoxious), I then went to YouTube looking for ammunition. I found a sermon he delivered in 2023, warning against the dangers of “Christian Nationalism” (subtitle: “God Is Not a Christian”) and instantly came away with the belief that he was toast no matter who the Republican nominee was.

About the Author

Jeffrey Blehar

Jeffrey Blehar is a National Review staff writer living in Chicago. He is also the co-host of National Review’s Political Beats podcast, which explores the great music of the modern era with guests from the political world happy to find something non-political to talk about.