Top 6 theological takes from Senate candidate James Talarico: 'Dumb and blasphemous'

2. Abortion for 'our neighbors with a uterus'

Talarico has used Scripture, including the story of the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke, to defend his enthusiastically pro-abortion views, which he has extended to trans-identifying individuals.

During a viral interview with podcaster Joe Rogan last July, Talarico claimed the Virgin Mary consenting to the angel Gabriel's message suggests that the Bible is pro-choice, and that a woman's consent is an inextricable part of the creation process. He also said Genesis teaches life begins with breath, echoing an argument put forth in 2019 by former Secretary of Transportation and outspoken Episcopalian Pete Buttigieg to justify late-term abortion.

Talarico further noted to Rogan that some scholars believe the Torah even offers a recipe for an abortifacient potion, in an apparent reference to Numbers 5:11-31.

Known as "the ordeal of bitter water," the passage refers to a woman suspected of adultery drinking water mixed with tabernacle dust and ink from a written curse, which would invoke supernatural physical affliction and potentially render her infertile if she was lying. Pregnancy is not mentioned in the passage, and Jewish tradition restricted the ritual for pregnant women in some cases.

NEW: Texas House Democrat and pastor James Talarico suggests the Bible supports abortion, says there is no Biblical basis for Christians to be anti-abortion.

"So this idea that to be a Christian means you have to be anti gay and anti abortion... There really is no historical,… pic.twitter.com/GPo5udFzIF

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 18, 2025

In 2022, Talarico clarified during a sermon that he believes abortion rights are relevant to the trans community, and that "every one of our neighbors with a uterus became the property of the state" when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade that year. He said, "nothing is more un-Christian than that."

"Before we go further, I want to acknowledge that our trans community needs abortion care, too," he continued.

"Defending trans Texans is something we have to do every day at the state Capitol, and you better believe I'll be giving sermons on that, too. When I use the word 'woman,' it should not be understood as an exhaustive term, but rather as a lens through which to understand, examine and interrogate patriarchy."

"Every one of our neighbors with a uterus became the property of the state," said Talarico in "sermon" before adding disclaimer that his definition of "woman" is "a lens through which to understand... patriarchy." Oh also trans need abortions too or something. h/t @greg_price11pic.twitter.com/Uy1tjhXOkh

— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) March 4, 2026

In the wake of the Dobbs decision in June 2022, Talarico sent a letter to then-President Joe Biden, urging him to consider bypassing state abortion restrictions by leasing federal property to abortion clinics. He also suggested using the Food and Drug Administration to prohibit restrictions on abortifacient drugs and making abortionists federal employees "to provide immunity from state lawsuits."

James Talarico wanted an abortion clinic in every federal courthouse and national park.

He wanted the federal government to hire abortionists so they'd be federal employees. pic.twitter.com/3fo6ED5EP9

— Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) March 5, 2026

Talarico has also claimed the Bible rejects the idea of "embryonic personhood," and likened embryos to the trillions of other cells and bacteria in the human body.

Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico explains how he views and understands the unique value and life of babies in the womb:

"No one disagrees that an embryo is biologically alive. We each have trillions of living organisms inside of us right now." pic.twitter.com/OM9dBqoFGk

— Protestia (@Protestia) March 5, 2026

Jim Rigby, Talarico's pastor, echoed his beliefs about embryonic personhood when he likened babies aborted in the first trimester to "extracted teeth" in a 2016 op-ed arguing against a Texas bill mandating cremation or burial for fetal remains. The pastor has also claimed supporting abortion "really is about the personhood of women."

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Talarico's home church in the Austin area that Rigby has pastored for more than 35 years, is one of only 33 churches to be designated a "Reproductive Freedom Congregation" by the Texas Freedom Network's Just Texas Project, which defines such congregations as ones that "proudly proclaim abortion is a moral and social good."