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‘Woke’ Christian who took Texas: Fury of religious Right after state picks ex-teacher who believes in a ‘non-binary God’
James Talarico, a former teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, won a historic Texas Senate race for the Democrats, defeating Trump-endorsed Ken Paxton. His victory has unsettled many evangelical Christians because of his progressive interpretation of Christianity, while also prompting speculation about his future in national politics.
Talarico, 37, has said that God is non-binary, described Jesus as a radical feminist and previously claimed there are six biological sexes, a statement he later walked back. He made faith central to his campaign with the slogan “Love Thy Neighbor” and has opposed Republican restrictions on transgender children in sports. Democrat Gina Hinojosa also won the Texas governorship, becoming the state’s first Latina governor.
In short
- James Talarico won a historic Democratic Senate victory in Texas.
- His progressive Christian views have angered evangelical critics.
- Gina Hinojosa became Texas’s first Latina governor.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters may see Talarico’s theology and politics as a sincere effort to apply Christian commitments to compassion, inclusion and equal dignity, including for transgender people. They could argue that faith has long been interpreted in different ways, and that his electoral success shows these ideas resonate with Texans seeking a more welcoming public life.
The case against
Critics, particularly evangelicals who read scripture more traditionally, may regard describing God as non-binary and Jesus as a radical feminist as departures from core Christian teaching. They may also argue that opposing restrictions on transgender children in sports gives priority to inclusion over fairness or safeguarding, and that a candidate’s public claims about sex and theology warrant scrutiny.
Explained simply
Texas has long been a stronghold for the Republican Party, while its growing and diverse population has made it an increasingly important state in national politics. The state’s evangelical Christians are a significant political constituency, and religious beliefs often feature prominently in debates over education, gender and public policy.
James Talarico is a Democrat, a former teacher and a Presbyterian seminarian, meaning he has studied for Christian ministry. His public comments about God, Jesus and gender reflect a progressive interpretation of Christianity, which differs from the views of many conservative evangelicals.
The divide matters because it brings questions of faith and political identity into the contest for influence in Texas and within the Democratic Party. Gina Hinojosa’s election as governor also marks a change in the state’s political leadership.