James Talarico Is Texas
Though different from myself in a myriad of ways, he embodies what it means to be Texan.
Texas is a place I brag about often. Food is usually one of the top things I point to. Some people call me crazy but I love the weather here. I much prefer a hot summer day to the cold winters I grew up in. One thing I hesitate to brag about is Texas politics. When I talk to friends or family outside of the state, they tend to question how my wife and I deal with some of the political figures who ‘represent’ us. Until recently, I was growing discouraged about the path our state was on. The man who has given me hope for the future of Texas is Austin’s own James Talarico.
An Unlikely Endorsement
If you told me two years ago I was going to be a staunch supporter of a Texan Presbyterian seminarian running for Senate, I would have not believed you. That is because it has become all too normal to associate “Presbyterian” with one of the many Republican Christian nationalists that are overstepping as ‘Christians’ in the United States.
James Talarico has famously gone head-to-head with the sponsor of the bill to require Texas classrooms to display the ten commandments. In one of his questionings, Talarico perfectly encapsulated what it is all about to be Texan, no matter what your religion is: “I consider Hindu students, Jewish students, Muslim students, atheist students, all to be my neighbor”.
Even though I am not a Christian myself, my beliefs align with James’ to a high degree. This should not be a shocking thing in today’s world, but it is. Christians should be free to practice their religion and we both stand for that American right. We also both stand for every American’s right to not practice Christianity. That is the difference between Talarico and other candidates: freedom. Freedom is what it should mean to be Texan. We can help make that a reality.
Do Your Part - Vote
My wife and I early voted yesterday, February 26th. Today is the final day of early voting in Texas. If you missed your opportunity to early vote, please do your part and vote on March 3rd. Vote for the candidate that embodies Texas.