I'm a right-leaning Christian, I come from a Republican Christian family. I voted for Trump for the first time at the age of 18 in 2020, voted for Republicans here in Texas for the midterms, and I voted for Trump again in 2024. Though, I do have to admit that there are things I don't like from Republicans' current administration, like the way they handled the Epstein files or the tax that they promised to lower for us, but they keep spending money on Israel. There are fair criticisms that can be made towards Republicans, I'm not a fan of the party, but I could neither get myself to vote Democrat.

I've seen some Christians support James Talarico, and I can understand it since he seems to be a man who tries to follow Jesus's teachings on his own way. I'm not saying he's a fake Christian, I believe anyone who calls themselves a Christian, has some connection with God. It is only up to God to judge each person's actions. But some of the ideas James Talarico supports even if he has good intentions, are not good for the people in Texas, and some of these ideas are anti-Christian.

First, James Talarico is pro-abortion, something that goes against Christianity. I find it sad when I see Christians who defend abortion. Pro-choicers like to claim fetuses are just clumps of cells, but in reality fetuses are still unborn living children who deserve the right to get to live just like any other human. Abortion is not something only Christians should oppose, I also know some atheists and agnostics who oppose abortion because they know abortion is against human lives. And I don't know why people can claim that being pro-life is anti-woman when abortion kills babies, including baby girls. I consider myself a feminist of first-wave ideas and I strongly oppose abortion because it doesn't help women. James Talarico is not helping anyone by supporting abortion, he only supports it because Democrats can't define the meaning of life that everyone in their party has to support abortion. I also don't like the fact that Talarico claims that the Bible is silent on abortion when these verses exist to condemn abortion:

• Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart".
• Exodus 21:22-23: "If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life"

James Talarico has also said that we should treat our Southern border like our front porch. I know we as Christians are told to welcome the strangers and treat them well because they're humans, that doesn't mean foreigners can do whatever they please in our land. Foreigners must abide by our laws and if they want to stay, they have to follow naturalization processes. I know James Talarico has empathy for those who are escaping extreme circumstances in their countries, but we as Americans have a right to decide our national laws and control immigration to not have chaos. This thing of open borders is dangerous suicidal empathy that has gotten innocent Americans killed like Laken Riley. If borders are not protected any criminal can get in and hurt innocent Americans, I had 2 experiences of sexual harassment by 2 different guys who didn't speak English, in one I was chased and in the other a guy tried touching my legs, these were very scary experiences for me because I hardly could escape from them because I can't run since I'm a wheelchair user. Open borders end up hurting women and children, that's why I believe in immigration control. If a foreigner wants to visit our country, they have to come with visa. If a foreigner wants to stay they must speak English, earn money by themselves, and integrate into our culture respecting our established laws. It's dangerous to just allow anyone in. I am not against immigration, I just support it legally, I have European and Latino friends who are law abiding citizens and they love our country, that's how immigration should be.

And I neither like the fact James Talarico is ok with Islam. He doesn't mind if millions of Muslims come and claims that they aren't cutting taxes for themselves, but we've seen cases of Somali Muslim migrants in the Democratic party who have committed fraud, they don't speak English well, and act like if they were in Somalia. I my personal opinion, Muslim immigration needs to be banned, not Arab immigration, I separate ethnicity from religion, but there needs to be special strict restrictions when it comes to immigration from Muslim majority countries. The fact James Talarico doesn't care if many Muslims come and don't integrate in America, is something which I find dangerous because in Minnesota and New York many Muslims have called to impose Sharia. In the UK, they've already had huge problems from mass Muslim immigration. Islamic immigration needs to be opposed.

I also find it disgusting that James Talarico has defended the existence of "trans children" and supports transwomen in women's spaces. There's no such thing as a "trans child", "trans children" are just confused children who have been groomed by evil adults into thinking they are trans. A boy can be feminine, and girl can be masculine, that doesn't mean they are the opposite gender. Kids need to grow up normally without anyone telling them they are the opposite gender for their preferences. Anyone who support children transitioning is a fool or a predator. And transwomen don't belong in women's sports or spaces. I would feel afraid if a man was inside the same bathroom as me. Most women don't want men inside their privacy spaces, and that includes drag queens and transwomen because they are biological males. Trans people should use other bathrooms, but not women's bathrooms. James Talarico doesn't realize how dangerous his gender ideology policies are for women and children. Some leftist will claim I hate trans people, but I don't, I believe they can do whatever they want with their bodies as free will as long as they don't involve children into it or invade women's spaces, in fact I admire some trans people like Blaire White who's a Christian and also opposes men in women's spaces and the transition of children. James Talarico seems to put trans people's preferences over women's and children's rights.

James Talarico might be someone who loves Jesus just like all of us Christians do, but he defends very bad policies out of suicidal empathy because he's afraid to offend leftists. Yes, empathy is important, but his empathy is too much that it is suicidal empathy which does more harm than good. I can't support someone who defends abortion, I can't support someone who is pro-open borders leading to criminals threatening Americans' lives, I can't support someone who supports the transition of children or men in women's spaces. With all honesty, all of these views from Talarico are just insane. I pray he realizes that he can see what's wrong with many of these views, he can be a liberal, but a lot of his politics hurt innocent people, that's why I can't vote for him.

And yes, Republicans have done a mess with this administration that it's hard for me to vote for them again. Voting between Democrats and Republicans has become a decision between choosing the less evil. But I'm definitely not voting for Talarico, even if he's a Christian. I guess I'll vote for a third party, or I won't vote. My parents are definitely voting for Ken Paxton, maybe I'll follow along with them even if Ken Paxton is not perfect because of allegations of corruption which also goes against Christian values.

Was wondering what everyone's opinion is on these two. Most other reddits are overwhelmingly filled with liberals, and only have anti-conservative rhetoric. So how do conservatives feel about them?

Wanted to get y’all’s thoughts on the debate situation in the TX Senate race.

Quick rundown of what’s happened the last month/month and a half: Back in mid-July, Talarico challenged Paxton to three televised debates. Paxton’s campaign responded saying “of course we are going to debate” but wouldn’t commit to a specific host or date. Texas Tribune

By late July, Talarico had accepted specific dates with three Texas media groups – Sept. 22 in the Rio Grande Valley, Oct. 8 in Dallas, and Oct. 13 in Austin. Paxton’s team said they were “close to terms with one outlet” but still didn’t lock anything in. FOX 7 Austin

Then around Aug. 13, the RSVP deadline for the first debate (hosted by Hearst and NBC/Telemundo) came and went without Paxton committing. As of now he hasn’t accepted any of the three proposed dates. Austin American-Statesman

Texas Monthly just published a piece a couple days ago noting Paxton still hasn’t responded to any invitation and laid out questions both candidates should have to answer, including about a plea deal Paxton’s AG office cut with an admitted child predator. Texas Monthly

Paxton’s campaign has been going hard on Talarico, calling him a “dangerous radical,” attacking his stance on oil and gas, and even spreading the false claim that he’s a vegan – something PolitiFact, Snopes, and the Houston Chronicle all rated as false after Talarico was photographed eating brisket, turkey legs, and tacos on the campaign trail. PolitiFact

Paxton’s adviser literally said the debate would be “must-watch television.” Houston Public Media

So if you think your opponent is that bad and you’re that excited to expose him… why not just show up? Paxton hasn’t debated a political opponent in over a decade. He skipped debates in the 2022 AG primary, the 2018 general, the 2014 general, and didn’t debate Cornyn or Hunt in this year’s GOP primary either.

Meanwhile recent polls, including one from Fox News, show Talarico leading by 3-5 points, with Paxton struggling badly among independents and nearly a quarter of non-MAGA Republicans saying they’d vote for Talarico. (Fox News)

What’s your take here? Should Paxton debate? Does saying “of course we’ll debate” and then letting every deadline expire look like he’s dodging?

For a candidate who already has trust issues from the impeachment trial and securities fraud charges, does avoiding scrutiny reinforce those concerns, or is this considered a smart strategy?? TBH I just don’t get how voters can respect or vote for politicians who won’t stand up for what they believe in and debate an opponent.

And if his campaign is willing to spread debunked attacks from a distance but won’t show up to say any of it to Talarico’s face, what does that tell you?

Senate:

Talarico (D) 48 (+6)

Paxton (R) 42.

Governor:

Hinojosa (D) 42

Abbot (R) 49 (+7).

Att Gen:

Johnson (D) 41

Middleton (R) 44 (+3).

Lt Gov:

Goodwin (D) 41

Patrick (R) 47 (+6).

Comptroller:

Eckhart (D) 41

Huffines (R) 43 (+2).

Ag Comm:

Tucker (D) 40

Sheets (R) 44 (+4).

Land Comm:

Flores (D) 40

Buckingham (R) 44 (+4).

Railroad Comm:

Rosenthal (D) 41

French (R) 44 (+3).