The Problem With James Talarico’s Gambling Ties
Democratic Texas state representative James Talarico is winning Christian voters with his faith-driven progressivism. But some are alarmed about his support for expanding legal gambling — and campaign funding from a megadonor tied to casinos.
While James Talarico has been a rising star in progressive circles, his support for expanding legal gambling has alarmed advocates who see it as irreconcilable with his stated values. (Brandon Bell / Getty Images)
For years, Democrats have been flummoxed by organized religion. The party has long stood for the separation of church and state. But when it comes time to court religious voters by speaking to their values, they often fall flat on their face. The GOP consistently wins the lion’s share of religious voters.
Texas Democratic state representative James Talarico, a leading candidate for the party’s nomination for US Senate, is trying to change that. The grandson of a Baptist preacher and a Presbyterian seminarian himself, Talarico is an effective communicator who is able to capably explain how his Christian faith guides him to embrace progressive values.
During a lengthy interview with podcaster Joe Rogan, for example, Talarico defended his support for abortion rights by pointing to the example of Mary, Jesus’s mother.
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