Texas Senate nominee James Talarico once proclaimed the Bible gives him a moral reason to fight for his progressive policies, but one expert is now accusing Talarico of spreading a "perverted version" of Christianity to justify his agenda.Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, set off a wave of criticism this week after saying his support for universal healthcare and rejection of "this corrupt system" are rooted in "biblical grounds." He pointed to the actions of Jesus and the Hebrew prophets as the rationale."When Jesus healed the sick, he didn't ask for a deductible.So when I fight for universal healthcare, I'm doing it on biblical grounds," he wrote in an X post viewed over 2 million times.
"When he fed the hungry, he didn't price gouge for a profit.When the Hebrew prophets saw corruption, they spoke truth to power.
When I take on this corrupt system, I'm doing it on biblical grounds."Just Facts president and co-founder Jim Agresti told Fox News Digital Talarico publicly opposes Christian nationalism while "imposing his own version, a perverted version, of Christian morals on the public."DETROIT PASTOR SAYS PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO 'VIRTUE-SIGNAL' TO CHRISTIAN VOTERSDemocratic U.S.Senate candidate James Talarico speaks during a campaign rally at the Cailloux Theater on Aug.
31, 2026, in Kerrville, Texas.Talarico is campaigning across the state in a close race against Republican candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of the Nov.
3 general election.(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)"Talarico bills himself as a Christian.
He talks about how he's a seminarian," Just Facts President and co-founder Agresti told Fox News Digital."He frequently quotes the words or misquotes the words of Jesus.
And he tries to also, at the same time, say, 'I hate Christian nationalism,' while he's imposing his own version, a perverted version, of Christian morals on the public."Agresti, who also preaches monthly at his church in Texas and wrote a book about the ver...