Democrat Talarico faces voters in tight Texas Senate race

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 15 Oct, 04:32 · Archive

Democrat James Talarico faced questioning from undecided voters at a town hall on contentious issues including Gaza, abortion and his faith.

Democrat James Talarico faced questioning from undecided voters at a CNN town hall on Wednesday evening as he campaigns for Texas Senate against Republican Ken Paxton in a race described as neck and neck.

Voters grilled him on contentious issues including Israel's military campaign in Gaza, abortion and foreign aid. One voter, a devout small business owner, questioned the authenticity of Talarico's Christian faith, referencing a past remark where he described God as nonbinary. Talarico acknowledged being 'provocative' and said the idea that God cannot be defined using human categories was actually not controversial theologically, noting that the late Pope Benedict had expressed similar views.

Another self-described Catholic voter pressed Talarico on his pro-choice stance. Rather than engaging the moral argument against abortion, Talarico framed it as a public health issue that could be addressed through reducing unplanned pregnancies. He cast himself as a moderate who would put the needs of Texans over party allegiances and railed against the ultra-wealthy.

How it is being reported

• Texas Democrat James Talarico faces grilling from voters at town hall in tight Senate raceTalarico casts himself as a moderate who would put Texans’ needs over party allegiances amid close contest against Republican Ken Paxton James Talarico, the Texas Democratic nominee for Senate, sat face to face with several undecided voters who grilled him on a slew of contentious issues including Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, abortion and foreign aid, during a CNN town hall on Wednesday evening. One voter, a devout small business owner, questioned the authenticity of Talarico’s faith, referencing a past remark where he described God as nonbinary. Continue reading...Guardian World · 15 Oct, 04:08
• Texas GOP chair on toss-up Senate race between James Talarico and Ken PaxtonDemocrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton are neck and neck in the Texas Senate race. Texas Republican Party chair D'rinda Randall shares her thoughts.CBS News · 14 Oct, 15:30
• Texas Democratic Party leader on tight Senate race between Talarico and PaxtonTexas Democratic Party chair Kendall Scudder joins CBS News with more on the Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton.CBS News · 13 Oct, 15:35

In this story: James Talarico · Ken Paxton · Texas · Pope Benedict · Gaza

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