‘The Chosen’ actor endorses James Talarico, claims candidate reflects real ‘Christian values’
Actor Jordan Walker Ross, who plays Little James in *The Chosen*, endorsed Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and appeared in a video launching a faith-based voter group. Ross said Talarico’s care for vulnerable people reflects Christian values, while a spokesperson for Republican candidate Ken Paxton disputed that view and criticised Talarico’s positions on social issues.
The endorsement also prompted a dispute over Texas film incentives. State Representative Brian Harrison argued that public subsidies indirectly benefit actors who endorse Democrats and pledged to seek their repeal; Ross said the incentives support jobs across political lines and that endorsements should not affect production opportunities. State records show *The Chosen* received about $862,527 for its second season and $1.995 million for its fourth, with both payments made before a 2025 law expanding the programme took effect.
- Jordan Walker Ross endorsed James Talarico for the Texas Senate.
- The endorsement launched a faith-based voter coalition.
- The Chosen received nearly $2.86 million in Texas film incentives.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of Talarico argue that caring for vulnerable people is central to Christian ethics, and that a candidate’s record on social issues should be judged in light of those values. They also contend that film incentives support jobs and local production, and that actors should be free to endorse candidates without risking work funded by a programme open to productions across political lines.
The case against
Paxton’s spokesperson argues that Talarico’s positions on social issues conflict with their understanding of Christian values, so concern for vulnerable people alone does not settle whether he represents those values. Harrison argues that public subsidies should not help finance an industry whose members may use their prominence to support candidates he opposes, and that repealing the incentives would better protect public funds.