Coalition of pastors unite behind Ken Paxton amid tightening Senate race

A group of Christian faith leaders has united behind Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a tight U.S. Senate race that has made faith a key topic of debate.

The "Pastors for Paxton" coalition, which includes 27 mostly Evangelical and charismatic pastors throughout Texas, will shepherd their congregations in prayer in the lead-up to Election Day on Nov. 3, according to The Dallas Morning News.

"Texas pastors have always been the heart of our communities, and they know exactly what is at stake in this race," Paxton told the outlet. "I am honored to have them standing by my side as we work to ensure America remains one nation under God."

Pastors from the group will reportedly attend the launch of Paxton's 18-day "Come and Take It" bus tour in Rockwall, Texas, on Saturday, which will take the GOP candidate along 30 stops throughout the state before ending Nov. 2 at the Alamo.

Included in the list of faith leaders is Jack Brewer, an ordained minister and former NFL safety who heads The Jack Brewer Foundation, which provides global relief management, prison ministry and humanitarian aid.

Another pastor is Richard Ellis of Reunion Church in Dallas, who told The Dallas Morning News: "Every week, I pray with families who are worried about the direction of our country and the freedom to live out their faith. They need leaders who will stand up for them, and Ken Paxton has proven time and time again that he will."

The Talarico campaign has launched a similar group called "Faithful Texans for Talarico," a coalition of faith leaders that launched last week with the endorsement of Jordan Walker Ross, who plays Little James on "The Chosen." During a Zoom call Monday evening, Talarico told the group that they are offering hope to Texans and explained that his longtime pastor, the Rev. Jim Rigby, encouraged him to run for U.S. Senate "as a form of ministry."

Both Talarico and Paxton claim to be Christians, though both have drawn scrutiny amid alleged impropriety in Paxton's personal life and Talarico's theological claims that many have condemned as heretical.

First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress served on the faith advisory council of Paxton’s primary opponent, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, but was not on the list of Paxton-endorsing pastors. He told The Christian Post in a text message that he only endorses presidential candidates.

During an interview with Republican Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last month, Jeffress acknowledged that immorality exists in the Republican Party, but that the Democratic Party has been reduced to openly advocating for sin and offered Talarico's platform as a particularly egregious example.

The race between Talarico and Paxton remains essentially tied, with a recent CBS News poll showing Talarico with 51% support and Paxton with 49%.