Mastodawn

James Talarico wins Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas

https://sh.itjust.works/post/56262389

James Talarico wins Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas - sh.itjust.works

James Talarico won the Democratic nomination for a US Senate seat in Texas on Tuesday, capping a remarkable rise from state lawmaker and seminary student to the party’s standard-bearer in one of the key races of the 2026 midterm cycle. With his blend of faith-based populism, bipartisan appeal and generational energy, Talarico defeated Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a firebrand beloved by the party’s base but who struggled to dispel concerns that she could defeat a Republican in a state that has not elected a Democrat statewide in more than 30 years. A jubilant Talarico told supporters in Austin before the race was called: “We are not just trying to win an election. We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.”

I love Jasmine Crockett but infuriatingly, a white man that talks frequently about his Christian faith is much more likely to win a senate seat in Texas.

ThunderWhiskers Mar 4

I also like Crockett, but to be fair I haven’t seen much about Talerico I don’t like beyond his Christianity. To be fair in that regard he at least talks the talk of a genuine Christian, rather than the hate mongering bigotry you normally see.

This is one of the things that gives me the most hope for him as a candidate. He is (imo) a great public example of how to a person of faith in politics. I think setting this example will have a large impact on US politics as a whole. I think there are a ton of Christians that would break with Trump in a heartbeat given the choice between a Talarico and a Christian nationalist (as unfortunate as that scenario is).

agamemnonymous Mar 5

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: progressive Christians are probably our best bet of significant progress. There are plenty of problems with the dogma and institutions of most modern Christian sects, but Jesus himself was obviously extremely progressive. And Christians as a whole (2/3 of Americans) tend to let Christian messaging heavily influence their vote.

A wave of Talaricos could seriously jeopardize the Republican party. This should be highly encouraged.

This map convinces me of that. Even amongst the people voting in a dem primary, the rural people preferred the white church boy. Crockett is more qualified, but Talarico has a better chance of actually winning.

Fortunately, they were both good candidates.

Brother. Do you know how rural all that purple is?? That’s the East Texas Piney woods, just as rural as any prairie farmer

I love his gimmick! Being openly Christian and stuff, but not being an intolerant, genocidal brained, warmonger!

dylanmorgan Mar 4

He seems to have threaded the needle of studying the bible and not becoming an atheist or a rabid right winger. His belief does appear to be a major factor in trying to help the people who need help. You know, like Jesus said you should.

dylanmorgan Mar 4

A white man who in 2026 has the political sense to say “Gaza is a genocide and that’s a simple moral question,” while Crockett took AIPAC money and voted to continue funding Israel.

Tbf he’s Presbyterian, the same church as Mr Rogers, and by this atheist’s view, the only genuinely honest Christian sect as a whole. They focus heavily on Christ’s teaching on community, believe in the charitable service of others as the devine will of god, and they don’t prostilitize or require tithes. That’s not to say bad people can’t be apart of any faith, but as he’s a minister of that church (like Mr Rogers) I’m inclined to think he’s honest about those core beliefs and not just riding the good name of the church like other politicians have.

Ultimately none of that really matters. He’s on record more progressive than Crockett, and unlike her, did not take AIPAC money. That should be a deal breaker for any voter I don’t care what party, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion.

www.trackaipac.com/states/texas

Texas' Congressional Delegation — Track AIPAC

See which Members of Congress from Texas are supported by pro Israel interest groups.

Track AIPAC

Not_mikey Mar 4

the only genuinely honest Christian sect as a whole.

Are you not counting unitarians? Because hands down they’re the best denomination. Only ones I see consistently waving rainbow flags and free Palestine banners.

Most Quakers seem chill, but maybe I’m overlooking some shitty views they may hold?

Not_mikey Mar 4

Yeah, they’re pretty good too, but don’t really see that many of there churches these days.

Also your username is dumb and unoriginal. You aren’t fooling anyone Rick.

Get off my lawn, kid

Unitarian is not Christian. There are a lot of disaffected Christians at your local Unitarian church, but they welcome all religions as well as atheists.

The D Quuuuuill Mar 5

what makes you say they’re not christian? they believe in god and they follow the teachings of christ. calling them not christian feels very “evangelicals say ethiopian orthodox isn’t real christianity” to me.

The D Quuuuuill Mar 5

Presbyterians, ELCA Lutherans, and United Methodists coalition together. Just FWIW. They have different theologies but very similar approaches to what ultimately matters out in the world: ethics

TacoEvent Mar 4

It was frustrating to see Jasmine Crockett make the same mistakes as Kamala Harris in her campaign. Lots of “not that guy” and very little “why me”. Not once did I ever hear about Crockett’s policies in this entire election cycle. In contrast, every video of Talarico out there is him spitting bars about the same policies he has been fighting for for years.

Anyway, the battle is still ahead of us.

dylanmorgan Mar 4

Yeah, I couldn’t name a single policy position of hers other than her notable support for Zionism.

TropicalDingdong Mar 4

Yeah, I couldn’t name a single policy position of hers other than her notable support for Zionism.

She didn’t really have any. Afaict, most of the people who seem to support Crockett was primarily because of her appearance as a fighter. But if you paid attention to Crockett, it was always windows dressing criticism. Criticism about style without being critical of the content.

Corkyskog Mar 4

From supporters of hers I hear that she will fight Trump. Which I tend to follow up with, so what will she do once Trump is no longer in office. It’s clear very few seem to be thinking that far.

ZombiFrancis Mar 4

AIPAC money and a Harris endorsement appears to have obliterated an 18 point polling lead. That’s crazy to think about.

David_Eight Mar 4

That’s the most sane thing in America politics for a while lol. It’s crazy that she couldn’t predict that it would happen.

neukenindekeuken Mar 4

Harris is running for Pres again in 2028, she has learned nothing, and we will all suffer the cost.

starman2112 Mar 4

As long as we get a primary, she won’t make it past that

Fredselfish Mar 4

He just blue DINO he probably vote with Republicans more then anything. Also I don’t want a Christian nationalist running or winning and what I see when I see this guy.

dogslayeggs Mar 4

As opposed to the woman who took a luxury trip to Israel paid by AIPAC?

Have you seen his actual voting record or the organizations he has led? You are just out here spouting complete nonsense without knowing a thing about him. You make yourself sound incredibly stupid.

Google AI tried to tell me there was no record of her traveling to Israel until I specified August 2023 in the search. Very shady.

The stakes are unusually high because a messy Republican primary was headed to a runoff on Tuesday night, with the four-term incumbent senator John Cornyn fighting for his political life against the scandal-scarred attorney general, Ken Paxton.

Fight between Texas Republicans for US Senate seat leaves party on edge

Party worries a victory by Maga darling Ken Paxton over John Cornyn would open door to Democrats in red state

The Guardian

As a non-American. What happens to Jasmine Crockett now? Does she still have an official political role?

Talarico, the more popular of the two, will do his best to consume Crockett whole (and possibly her family if he can find them) in order to consolidate the voting base and display his prowess. Failure to do so could lead to a third party situation, such as Andrew Cuomo, who was consumed far later than the primary.

Habibi, why is Cuomo in my shawarma?

dylanmorgan Mar 4

The other good news is that Cornyn and Paxton are headed to a runoff, so they can beat the shit out of each other while Talarico campaigns for the general.

eestileib Mar 4

I have a very bad feeling about this guy.

SaveTheTuaHawk Mar 4

Never trust a Christian fundamentalist. They can get away with anything by their rules if they just repent, whatever the fuck that means.

What makes you think the guy is a Christian fundamentalist? From what I’ve seen, he’s been very outspoken about the criticality of the separation of church and state.

ChunkMcHorkle Mar 5

Just so you know, Christian fundamentalism is not at all defined by an individual believer’s stance in regard to the Free Exercise Clause. Someone being a “Christian fundamentalist” simply means they believe in Biblical literalism. It may or may not coincide with other beliefs, political or religious. And even then the purely religious definition tends to shift over time.

It’s really just the faux-fundamentalists who don’t actually believe in their book at all, and who have hijacked religious belief to shore up failing hold on political power, that don’t like separation of church and state.

I’m not a fan of Talarico, I think he’s an unknown quantity at this point, but I offer this clarification in defense of the many non-political and apolitical fundies I have known in my time. Please do not confuse them with the hyper-politicized neofascist version of “Christianity” now popular in right-wing power grabs.

As for Talarico, he has personally been a critic of “Christian nationalism” and doesn’t identify as anything even close to Christian fundamentalism but rather as a Presbyterian. It’s about as vanilla as you can get these days and leans liberal: they’re the kind of Christians uber-conservative Christians love to hate.

Sure, but I was trying to highlight he’s not an extremist. Presbyterians aren’t bible literalists

ChunkMcHorkle Mar 5

You’re right, I misunderstood. Thanks for the correction.

All good, I probably should have been more clear

Sharkticon Mar 4

ITT: neoliberal shits trying hard to drive a false narrative cause they are terrified progressive candidates are coming for them. You should be. We are gonna throw you corporate slaves out.

The false narrative being that Crockett took AIPAC money? What makes you feel that narrative is false?

I’m about 100% sure you’re reading that comment wrong. Considering Crockett was the more neoliberal candidate and was supported by the corporate DNC. The more progressive candidate who spoke out against corporate money and wants to go after billionaires won.

Ah ok, yeah I definitely misunderstood the comment. Thanks

Another Christian rises to the top. Ugh.

Legonatic Mar 5

So you blindly think every Christian is bad?

no, 1/2 are bad the other 1/2 are deluded and many both, all believing in “teapots”. What sort of critical thinking can someone that easily deluded bring to the world in these troubled times ?

They might be “decent” (benefit of the doubt) despite being religious but that’s only one criteria needed in a representative.