These Democrats are running for Congress on Christian faith. Will it pay off?
Democratic candidates for Congress are increasingly incorporating their Christian faith into their campaign platforms. This strategy has drawn criticism from Republicans, who question the authenticity of these candidates' religious motivations.
Why it matters
It reflects a shift in political messaging strategies and the ongoing debate over the role of religion in American public life.
On a recent Sunday at Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, James Talarico stood at the pulpit.
A state representative in the Texas House, Talarico is a former middle school teacher, a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
"I want to speak to you this morning, not as a candidate, but as a fellow Christian," he told the congregation. "My grandad was a Baptist preacher in south Texas. And when I was real little, he told me that Christianity is a simple religion."
But it's not easy, Talarico continued, telling the congregation that faith could provide a way of understanding the country's political turmoil.
"Sometimes we see the world most clearly through our tears. If your heart is breaking as you watch what's happening to our beloved country, it means you still have a heart," he said. "So blessed are you who weep."
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