Why Texas Democrats Clash on Faith and Politics

James Talarico, a Democratic Senate hopeful from Texas, has some strong opinions about how his party treats people in conservative areas. He thinks the national Democratic Party can come off as snobby and even against certain cultural values, like religion, that matter a lot to folks in red states. Talarico, who used to teach middle school and study to be a Presbyterian minister, knows a thing or two about connecting with people. He believes that Democrats often dismiss voters in red states, acting like they don't know what's best for themselves. But Talarico argues that people's interests go beyond just material things; they also care about personal, cultural, and spiritual matters.He points out that the Democratic Party has sometimes been hostile to these cultural values, especially faith. Even though Talarico doesn't agree with every member of his faith community, he thinks shared beliefs can be a bridge to building real relationships. He urges his party to focus on connecting with people who might not currently support them. Meanwhile, Talarico's main competitor for the Senate nomination, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, has a different approach. She believes that Democrats don't need to win over Trump supporters to win in Texas. Instead, she wants to engage with the many people of color in the state who have historically been ignored. The race between Talarico and Crockett highlights a bigger debate within the Democratic Party about how to appeal to a wider range of voters, especially in conservative states like Texas.