Resurfaced Clip Shows James Talarico Saying His Church Sheltered Undocumented Family; Sparks Political Backlash

James Talarico, a Texas Democratic Senate candidate, state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, appears in a resurfaced June 2023 interview describing how his church sheltered an undocumented mother and son who were close to deportation by ICE. In the clip, Talarico smiles as he says, "this idea that Christianity is just another word for causing trouble," a line that has drawn sharp criticism from Republican opponents.

Texas Democratic Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico speaks during the Hispanic Caucus at the Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, on June 26, 2026.

What He Said

During an appearance on TexasImpact's "Weekly Witness," Talarico described how his faith community shaped his public life. He said the congregation had been active on progressive causes over several decades, citing involvement in LGBTQ rights, welcoming nonbelievers, and helping an undocumented family in the 2010s. He framed those actions as part of a faith-driven commitment to public justice: "Justice is just love out in public," he said.

The Texas State Capitol is seen during a rally against abortion and voting laws in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 2, 2021.

Criticism And Campaign Response

The clip prompted immediate reaction from Republicans. A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee accused Talarico of being "dangerous" and suggested his positions would weaken border security and public safety. Ken Paxton's campaign and other GOP spokespeople amplified those criticisms, characterizing Talarico's remarks as out of step with mainstream Texans.

Left: Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas, on July 22, 2026. Right: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attends a campaign event in Allen, Texas, on Aug. 4, 2026.

Talarico's campaign pushed back. Spokesperson JT Ennis said Talarico is "a Christian seminarian" committed to the teachings of Jesus and argued that the GOP attacks misrepresent his record. The campaign reiterated that Talarico opposes defunding the police, supports stronger border security and immigration enforcement, and favors arresting and deporting violent criminals and human traffickers rather than vulnerable mothers and children.

Broader Remarks In The Interview

In the same interview, Talarico criticized what he called "Christo-fascism," accusing some elements of the religious right of attempting to impose a singular form of Christianity on public life. He pointed to Texas measures he views as examples, including laws about displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, provisions allowing chaplains in schools, voucher programs, bans on certain transgender medical treatments for minors, and abortion restrictions.

Political Context

The resurfaced clip arrives amid a high-profile Senate race between Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Coverage noted a recent Fox News poll showing Talarico ahead of Paxton despite earlier controversies. Paxton acknowledged his campaign had been behind in organization after a runoff but said his team would marshal resources to make their case to voters.

Bottom line: The video has become another flashpoint in a bitterly contested Texas Senate race, with Republicans using it to question Talarico's judgment and supporters saying the footage reflects core faith-driven commitments to aid marginalized people.