James Talarico, a Democratic state lawmaker running for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, has come under fire for comments he made about Christianity in a 2021 interview. Talarico told a podcast host that he ‘hates Christianity,’ but later clarified that he is a devout Christian who fights against the corruption of Christian teachings.

Talarico’s Comments Spark Controversy

Talarico’s remarks were made in an interview with Roberto Che Espinoza, a transgender-identifying author, and Rev. Anna Golladay, a progressive minister. In the interview, Talarico said that he has been inspired by Espinoza’s writings and that he sees himself as a ‘Christian who hates Christianity.’ He later explained that he believes the teachings of Christ are similar to those of other mystical traditions, such as Buddhism.

Talarico’s comments have sparked backlash from Republicans, with Zach Kraft, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, saying that Talarico is ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ who wants to ‘destroy Texans’ way of life.’ Talarico’s campaign has responded by saying that he is a devout Christian who fights against corruption and that his comments were taken out of context.

Senate Race Heats Up

Talarico is running against Republican Ken Paxton, who currently serves as Texas attorney general. The race is seen as a crucial one for Democrats, who are hoping to flip the Senate seat blue for the first time in decades. Talarico has touted his ability to draw both Democrats and moderate Republicans, but his history of controversial statements has cast doubt on his bipartisan appeal.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.