James Talarico’s victory over formidable opponent Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Texas Democratic Senate primary is bigger than state politics. Everyone keeps saying that about this race, but I’m starting to seriously believe the hype. Talarico has a lot of powerful qualities, but his unapologetic embrace of his Christian faith sets him apart from other rising Democratic stars — and it could maybe even help reshape American politics.
Before his Senate run, Talarico gained national attention as a state representative by rooting his opposition to Christian nationalism in his own Christian faith. During legislative battles over whether the Ten Commandments should be posted in public schools and guidance counselors should be replaced with unlicensed religious chaplains, he defended religious freedom without casting religion as the enemy.
For decades, Democrats have ceded religious language to Republicans. Republicans claim the mantle of faith, while Democrats too often respond by criticizing the GOP’s “God talk” and emphasize the separation of church and state. In the process, millions of progressive Americans have become politically voiceless, despite the fact that the majority of Democrats are people of faith themselves.
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