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EXCLUSIVE: Talarico caught on tape giggling about his church housing illegal immigrants set for deportation

EXCLUSIVE: Talarico caught on tape giggling about his church housing illegal immigrants set for deportation

EXCLUSIVE: Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico bragged in a resurfaced interview that his church had stirred controversy by housing a family of illegal immigrants who were set to be deported by ICE, laughing as he said that “Christianity is just another word for causing trouble.” Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian who serves as a Democratic state representative, is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Senate seat that is critical to both parties. In a resurfaced clip of Talarico speaking on Texas Impact’s “Weekly Witness” show in June 2023, he credited his faith for “why I am in politics.” Asked how his faith influences his politics, Talarico pointed to examples of his church advancing progressive causes, saying, “Justice is just love out in public.” “Our church was really active in LGBTQ rights in the ’90s. We caught some attention by letting an atheist join our church in the 2000s, and then in the 2010s, again stirred some controversy by housing an undocumented family, a mother and son, who were close to being deported by ICE,” he said. “That was the tradition that I was brought up in. It’s what led me to teach public school students on the west side of San Antonio, led me to run an education nonprofit and then led me to run for office.” TEXAS DEM NOMINEE JAMES TALARICO INVOKES FAITH TO DEFEND ABORTION RIGHTS, ‘THE BIBLE IS SILENT ON ABORTION’ “And so, again,” he continued, “this idea that Christianity is just another word for causing trouble.” During the same interview, Talarico decried what he referred to as “Christo-fascism” and the religious right, which he accused of seeking to subvert democracy by forcing a “certain type of Christianity.” Asked for specific examples of Christo-fascism in Texas, he pointed to a law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, another allowing schools to replace guidance counselors with chaplains, and the state’s school voucher program. He also pointed to laws banning sex-change surgeries and treatments for children and Texas’ abortion ban. “All these ideologies stem from this Christo-fascism movement, which, essentially, like I said, is just using faith to exercise raw political, social and economic power,” said Talarico. “I think it’s dangerous to all of us, but particularly to those who are marginalized and oppressed in our state.” SOCIALIST HOUSE NOMINEE’S RADICAL LAW-AND-ORDER VISION: ‘WHAT ARE ILLEGALS?’ The resurfaced clip has drawn criticism from Republicans. Republican National Committee spokesman Zach Kraft told Fox News Digital that “despite looking like a loser, Talarico is a dangerous man.” “He has dedicated his life to helping illegals by dismantling border security, defunding police, and abolishing prisons to turn Texas into a paradise for cartels and criminals,” said Kraft. JT Ennis, a spokesperson for Talarico’s campaign, responded by telling Fox News Digital that “James is a Christian seminarian who’s dedicated his life to the teachings of Jesus Christ — fighting religious and political corruption when he sees it because there’s nothing Christ-like about powerful people twisting the teachings of Jesus to justify hate, violence, and greed. While billionaire-bought politicians like Ken Paxton attack James for his faith — he will continue encouraging Texans across the political spectrum to come together by loving their neighbors as themselves.” Ennis said that the RNC’s “attacks are flat out lies.” “James opposes defunding the police and supports stronger border security and immigration enforcement — it’s why he’s voted to send billions of dollars to support law enforcement, called for more border patrol agents, and has said we should be arresting and deporting violent criminals and human traffickers — not moms and babies,” said Ennis. “On the other hand, Ken Paxton’s fellow Republicans have blasted his record of abusing his office to benefit his wealthy donors and the well-connected, allowing criminals back on the street even as it made Texans less safe.” The Democratic National Committee did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Despite Republican efforts to highlight his history of controversial statements, including saying that “God is nonbinary” and that there are six sexes, Talarico leads Paxton in a recent Fox News poll. Republicans, including Paxton, argue that Talarico’s progressive record will eventually hurt him politically. DEM’S STUNNING IDEAL STANDARD FOR IMMIGRATION DETENTION CONDITIONS RESURFACES AMID TEXAS SENATE BID Madison Cercy, a spokeswoman for Paxton’s campaign, commented on the resurfaced video, telling Fox News Digital that “In Talarico’s form of Christianity, you must be trans, you can’t support the oil and gas industry, you must support late-term abortions, and you have to let in every criminal illegal immigrant seeking asylum.” “James Talarico hates Christianity, and he’s said it,” added Cercy. “The only form of Christianity Talarico practices is one that sacrifices children at the altar of the radical trans movement and most Texans would agree.” SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER Paxton told Fox News Digital after a rally in Houston earlier this week that Talarico’s lead is “not surprising” given “we were three months behind” after his primary runoff against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. “We’re still three months out,” Paxton continued. “And I know that when we put our resources together, when we get there, we will be able to highlight things and once the voters know the real James Talarico, not the fake one that’s running right now … people will get to decide for themselves.”

WATCH: Dems stand by Maine nominee hit with report he fathered children with his second cousin

WATCH: Dems stand by Maine nominee hit with report he fathered children with his second cousin

Democratic senators are still backing Maine Senate nominee Troy Jackson, who replaced former candidate Graham Platner on the ballot, after the latest allegations threaten to yet again shake up the race for U.S. Senate in the Pine Tree State. Platner, following a series of scandals culminating in sexual misconduct claims, was forced to drop out ahead of the Democratic primary to take on Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, earlier this summer. But now, a bombshell report claims Platner’s replacement fathered two children with his second cousin. The recent report wasn’t enough to turn lawmakers against Jackson, with most stressing the necessity for Democrats to win swing state races in order to win back a majority in the upper chamber — not an easy feat in Maine, where Collins, a moderate, has represented the state in the Senate since 1997. Maine’s other senator, independent Angus King, said: “I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I’m not going to comment on it anyway.” Every senator who Fox News Digital spoke with on the issue this week denied having knowledge of the report. “I don’t know anything about that, but what I do know is that we have got to elect Democrats up and down the ballot,” Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., told Fox News Digital. “I haven’t heard of these reports,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., echoed. “Troy Jackson is somebody who’s obviously in this fight for working people.” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., ignored the crux of the question. “I think it’s super important that we win that seat so that we can put an end to the wild cost increases and rampant corruption that the Senate right now is indulging,” he said. INTERNET ERUPTS OVER REPORT THAT PLATNER’S REPLACEMENT IN KEY SENATE RACE FATHERED CHILDREN WITH SECOND COUSIN The Maine Wire editor Steven Robinson first reported last week that Jackson shares two children with his second cousin, Lana Pelletier. In posting the genealogical findings, the independent journalist claimed Pelletier’s father is a cousin of Jackson’s mother. The report made waves after Jackson received 94% of the 601 delegate votes in the process this summer to replace Platner, who dropped out of the race after a rape allegation finally forced his Democrat allies to turn against him. Platner denied the claim, among others made against him, but ultimately it was the nail in the coffin that resulted in him ending his bid for U.S. Senate before the deadline for Democrats to get a new candidate on the Maine primary ballot. Without directly denying the report, Jackson’s campaign said in a previous statement to Fox News Digital that it was an attack campaign from the Collins camp. “Susan Collins will do anything to distract from the fact that she votes with Trump 96% of the time and has sold out working people in Maine. Personal attacks on Troy’s family are shameful and desperate,” the statement read. Jackson’s campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comment on the reporting. MAINE DEM IN HOT SEAT FOR CHAMPIONING POPULAR VOTE DESPITE CLINCHING SENATE BID WITHOUT IT “Haven’t seen it,” Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said when asked on Capitol Hill about the reports. Ossoff initially avoided saying whether he’d back Jackson. Instead, he pointed to Michigan’s Democratic race, which the far-left progressive Abdul El-Sayed won on Wednesday, before addressing his support for Jackson. “I’m supporting our nominee in Michigan,” Ossoff replied when asked if he would be endorsing Jackson. “In Maine, we’ll see who wins.” Many senators credited their support for Jackson and other Democrat candidates running for office as a broader effort to target Republicans and their agendas — both within the Donald Trump administration and in Congress. “We have a president who today, again, has no strategic plan about getting us out of that war in Iran, where our children are dying on the battlefield while his are getting rich,” Alsobrooks said. A recent Fox News Poll found that 56% of voters oppose U.S. military action against Iran, with 40% strongly opposing the war, indicating the ongoing conflict might play a role in how voters show up in November. 2026 MIDTERMS STATE OF PLAY: KEY RACES UNFOLD AS STEVENS, EL-SAYED BATTLE IN MICHIGAN Alsobrooks said she is supporting the Democratic nominee “in every single state,” again indirectly backing Jackson, to ensure her party takes back the majority in Congress. “I’m supporting whoever the nominee, in every single state, the Democratic nominee,” Alsobrooks said. “We are going to have to take back the House and take back the Senate as well so that we can bring down the cost of living, get people healthcare again.” “That is what is important right now to the American people, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Hawaii contractor nominated to construct GOP comeback after two-decade Democratic hold on governor’s mansion

Hawaii contractor nominated to construct GOP comeback after two-decade Democratic hold on governor’s mansion

Gary Cordery, who owns a contracting company, won the Republican nomination for Hawaii governor after defeating business owner Ken Fujiyama in Saturday’s primary. He is now set to face Democratic Gov. Josh Green in November in a race that heavily favors the incumbent. The Cook Political Report rates the contest as Solid Democratic, with a Partisan Voting Index of D+13. Cordery faces a steep challenge: Hawaii has not had a Republican governor since Linda Lingle left office in 2010. FORMER TOP OREGON GOP OFFICIAL SECURES NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR AS REPUBLICANS TARGET BLUE-STATE PICKUP In addition to facing an incumbent with a 56% approval rating and Hawaii’s long history of Democratic control, Cordery faces a significant financial disadvantage against Green. Green has raised approximately $3.5 million, far outpacing Cordery, who has raised about $313,000, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. Despite the uphill battle, Cordery is pitching voters on a platform centered on lowering Hawaii’s high cost of living, reforming education and cracking down on corruption. “As a husband, father and grandfather, businessman and community servant, I love Hawai’i,” Cordery said in an interview with Honolulu Civil Beat. “These islands of unique beauty have endured mismanagement for decades. Her people live under tremendous stress and anxiety. I am running to open opportunity, create abundance and ensure stewardship of her resources, bringing accountability and hope for the people.” THE AMERICAN DREAM NOW COMES WITH A ZIP CODE: HERE’S WHERE STARTER HOMES ARE STILL WITHIN REACH Part of Cordery’s plan to create abundance includes adding 15,000 homes across the islands for working families, with prices ranging from roughly $400,000 to $600,000. His proposal calls for using state-owned land for fee-simple housing while streamlining permitting and opening more land for residential development. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER He is also proposing eliminating the state’s General Excise Tax on food and medicine and freezing property taxes for homeowners at retirement. Cordery argues that the state is failing to properly manage taxpayers’ dollars and says he would order audits to root out waste. “Hawai’i’s 20.5 billion dollar budget for 1.4 mil[lion] people is a staggering number. New Hampshire has 1.4 million people but a $7.75 billion dollar budget,” Cordery said. “I believe our tax burden is out of control. The answer is management.”

Hawaii Gov Josh Green cruises to Democratic primary win, sets up fall matchup with GOP nominee

Hawaii Gov Josh Green cruises to Democratic primary win, sets up fall matchup with GOP nominee

Democratic Hawaii Gov. Josh Green defeated three little-known primary challengers seeking to lead the Aloha State. Green, who was first elected governor in 2022, entered the unusual Saturday primary with a 56% approval rating. His primary win makes him a strong favorite for re-election, as the Cook Political Report rates the race 13 points in favor of the Democratic Party. Green’s opponents were David “Duke” Bourgoin, George “Teva” Lucas-Tadeo, a Democratic socialist, and Lauren Kapoliahiʻiaka Shim. Bourgoin previously ran against Green for governor in 2022, but he captured only 590 votes compared with Green’s 158,161. He also lost two bids for Honolulu mayor, in 2022 and 2024. HAWAII’S DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR INDICTED IN STATE CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION Despite the growing popularity of Democratic Socialists across the country, Lucas-Tadeo failed to win over Hawaii Democrats with public Instagram posts promising publicly run grocery stores and the legalization of marijuana. Neither Lucas-Tadeo nor Shim had campaign websites, and none of Green’s three challengers had raised any money in the race as of June 30, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. Meanwhile, Green had raised approximately $3.5 million, far outpacing Republican Gary Cordery, the race’s second-highest fundraiser, who had raised about $313,000, according to Civil Beat. Hawaii has not had a Republican governor since Linda Lingle left office in 2010. In typical election years, the Democratic primary attracts candidates with strong name recognition. For instance, in 2022, the candidates besides Green included Rep. Kai Kahele, D-Hawaii, and former first lady Vicky Cayetano. “His policies have been fairly popular, there hasn’t been anything he’s done that’s really created a pushback,” John Hart, a communication professor at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, told Civil Beat. “So, why would you throw your hat in the ring on a suicide run when there are other offices that are more achievable?” BABYLON BEE TOUTS LEGAL WIN OVER HAWAII GOVERNMENT’S ‘WAR AGAINST POLITICAL MEMES AND SATIRE’ IN FEDERAL COURT Meanwhile, Green told Civil Beat that his administration responded effectively to the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, which killed 102 people, and flooding from the March Kona low storms, which caused more than $1 billion in damage. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER “We were very present, and I think pretty competent and compassionate in our response, and we heard from a lot of people — both politicians and just people — that they appreciated that,” Green told Civil Beat. “It just didn’t create a scenario in which another Democrat thought it made sense to run against us,” Green continued. “I didn’t set out to get into fights with people, I really just tried to do this job. So, it didn’t create the usual opening where there was a big divide where people would come after me.”

Hawaii rep cruises to Dem primary win after challenger arrested for beach brawl

Hawaii rep cruises to Dem primary win after challenger arrested for beach brawl

Progressive Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, cruised to victory in her primary on Saturday, setting up a showdown with Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa in November. Tokuda is seeking a third term representing Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes the entire state outside the island of Oahu, as well as rural and suburban parts of Oahu itself. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the district D+12. That means it’s highly likely that Democrats keep hold of it in this year’s midterms. 2026 MIDTERMS STATE OF PLAY: KEY RACES UNFOLD AS STEVENS, EL-SAYED BATTLE IN MICHIGAN Tokuda defeated three primary challengers to win the Democratic Party nomination, though none posed a significant threat to her campaign despite a wider intraparty civil war that’s toppled several House Democrat incumbents throughout the country. Her fellow delegation member, Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, faced a significant primary challenge from his left in his own race, though Case is seen as much more moderate than Tokuda. HAWAII DEMOCRATIC HOUSE CANDIDATE FACES FELONY THREAT CHARGES AFTER BEACH FIGHT CAUGHT ON VIDEO Tokuda’s race did attract some controversy, however, after one of her long-shot opponents was arrested for a violent altercation that was caught on camera at Keawakapu Beach. Kirill Basin allegedly threatened a man who asked him to turn down his music, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. A violent clash ensued after a bystander intervened, and Basin allegedly pulled out a knife. Tokuda told Hawaii News Now that the video was “disturbing” and said “any individual, whether you’re running for office or a public citizen, you need to be held accountable for your actions.”

Dem establishment strikes back as longtime incumbent fends off progressive challenger

Dem establishment strikes back as longtime incumbent fends off progressive challenger

The Democratic establishment won a key battle in the left’s ongoing civil war with its socialist insurgency on Saturday. Longtime Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, won his primary bid to seek another term in the House of Representatives, defeating progressive state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole. Case, who served in Congress from 2002 to 2007 and then won again in 2018, faced his toughest primary challenge yet this year. It comes amid a wider showdown between the Democratic establishment and its far-left flank that’s seen multiple House incumbents lose to socialist upstarts. SOCIALIST VICTORIES SHOW DEMS’ DESCENT DOWN ‘DEADLY PATH OF COMMUNISM,’ JOHNSON WARNS Keohokalole, who’s been in Hawaii’s state legislature since 2014, was the most formidable of a group of primary challengers looking to oust Case this year. Both raised considerable money on the campaign trail, though the incumbent had more money in his war chest at the outset of the race. Keohokalole criticized Case for not doing enough to stand up to the Trump administration during the president’s second term, including President Donald Trump’s federal immigration operations. The progressive challenger also attacked Case for being one of four House Democrats to vote for Republicans’ initial iteration of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in April 2025. JOHNSON’S STRATEGY TO BYPASS DEMOCRATS’ SAVE ACT BLOCKADE SURVIVES KEY VOTE, HANDING GOP BIG WIN That version would have imposed a federal voter ID requirement at the polls as well as a proof of citizenship mandate for registering to vote, but would have allowed for a written affidavit absent that proof. Case told Hawaii News Now that he will “never” be someone who votes in lockstep with his party and said of the issue of noncitizen voting, “This has nothing to do with voter suppression. Now, those are fears and there are legitimate fears, and I accept those concerns.” “It’s a solution in search of a problem. There is no security problem in our election system,” Keohokalole told the outlet. Case later joined nearly all other House Democrats in opposing an updated version, the SAVE America Act, which would have vastly expanded the federal government’s authority over state voter rolls. He now goes on to face Republican Adriel Lam in November. Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses part of Oahu, including Honolulu, is rated a safe Democratic seat with a Cook Political Report rating of D+13.