James Talarico's own words
Understanding a public official begins with understanding their own words. Elected leaders choose their language deliberately - whether they are criticizing legislation, championing an issue, or taking a confrontational stance. Their statements reflect the message they intend to convey. Their words represent what they want the public to hear. It is important to take those words seriously.
Below, I have included James Talarico’s own words, publicly sourced and presented in full context. Some excerpts are lengthy to ensure accuracy and avoid misrepresentation. As you review them, consider the following questions:
Do these comments sound reasonable?
Do these comments reflect you and your Grimes County neighbors' views?
Are these the perspectives you want influencing the laws that govern your daily life?
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you James Talarico.
James Talarico believes God is non-binary:
“The first two lines of the Bible, the first two lines of Genesis, use two different Hebrew words to describe God. One is the masculine Hebrew noun for divinity, the second is the feminine Hebrew noun for spirit. God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between. God is nonbinary.”
James Talarico (10/14/21) - Remarks on HB 25 during Texas House floor debate. Texas House of Representatives, 87th Legislature.
Texas House Bill 25 requires K-12 interscholastic athletic competitors to participate based on their biological sex listed on their original birth certificate. Representative Talarico voted against HB 25.
James Talarico believes God and the Bible are pro-abortion:
“But I say all this in terms of in context of abortion because before God comes over Mary and, and we have the incarnation, God asks for Mary’s consent, which is remarkable. I mean, go back and read this in Luke. I mean, the, the angel comes down and asks Mary if this is something she wants to do, and she says, ‘If it is God’s will, let it be done. Let it be, let it happen,’” Talarico continued. “So to me that is a an affirmation in one of our most central stories that creation has to be done with consent. You cannot force someone to create. Creation is one of the most sacred acts that that, that we engage in as human beings. But that has to be done with consent. It has to be done with freedom.”
James Talarico in the Christian Post (05/2024) - The article cites and quotes Talarico’s appearance on The Jamie Kern Lima Show.
James Talarico on child abuse:
"I think there are some folks that would think that if you deny your child's gender identity, that's incredibly harmful. And whether or not we label it with the term abuse, it's abusive for sure."
James Talarico (4/3/19) - Remarks during Texas House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues hearing on HB 1910. Texas House of Representatives, 86th Legislature.
Texas House Bill 1910 was a proposed measure regarding how family courts evaluate child custody and parental rights in relation to a child's gender expression.
James Talarico believes transgender people have unique health care needs:
“I want to acknowledge that our trans community needs abortion care, too.”
Lincoln Media Foundation Facebook video (6/4/26) citing James Talarico’s earlier comments made while delivering a sermon. https://www.facebook.com/lincolnmediafoundation/videos/2138972160293453/
James Talarico refers to women as:
“Every one of our neighbors with a uterus became property of the state.”
Benny Johnson X post (5/29/26) citing James Talarico’s earlier comments made while delivering a sermon. https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/2060342533872353674
James Talaric on violence:
“Poverty is violence. Pollution is violence. And yes, prison is violence. Dismantle this system of violence, build something new, something better, something rooted in love. It’s hard to imagine a world without prisons, but it was also hard to imagine a world without telegrams and cassette tapes. Just because it’s hard to imagine doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.”
Heartlander News Facebook video (3/5/26) citing James Talarico’s earlier comments made while delivering a sermon. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=923937463717341
James Talarico on the US flag:
"The American flag is such a complicated symbol for most of us. And in many ways, like Jesus, like the cross, it's been co-opted, and in some ways, its true meaning has been betrayed."
Pete Sessions Facebook video (3/6/26) citing James Talarico’s earlier comments made while delivering a sermon. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=26570115285928059
James Talarico has concerns with being white and masculine:
"For me, prophetic voices like Jesus have helped me reckon with my own whiteness, my own masculinity, my own certainty, my own ego. It's a never-ending process, and it's a painful process."
Brandon Gill Facebook video (3/5/26) citing James Talarico’s earlier comments made while delivering a sermon. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=927228663329627
Below are a sampling of James Talarico's own social media posts:
