Texas Senate candidate James Talarico frames campaign as a form of ministry

Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico recently shared that his decision to run for federal office was influenced by his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jim Rigby of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). During a virtual meeting with the coalition Faithful Texans for Talarico, the state representative explained that he had been torn between pursuing a Senate seat and completing his ministerial studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Talarico stated that he sought spiritual counsel from Rigby, who has served as his pastor since he was a child. According to Talarico, Rigby encouraged him to view his political campaign as a form of ministry. Talarico noted that he felt a sense of calling similar to that of his grandfather, who served as a Southern Baptist minister. The candidate is currently campaigning against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of the November 3 general election, focusing his platform on issues such as public education, healthcare, and government corruption.