In a recent interview with The New York Times, Talarico asserted that his faith was rooted in “biblical Christianity.” During an appearance on The State of Belief podcast in April 2024 alongside Muslim state Rep. Salman Bhojani, Talarico praised Islam for shaping his religious beliefs. The state is chock-full of Christian voters who know very well that Islam does not inform Christian theology, not to mention people who will see right through the pandering Talarico attempted. AdvertisementI doubt that Ken Paxton will want to debate theology with Talarico, given the target-rich environment Talarico will provide on policy. I do wish, though, that someone will ask this Protestant seminarian what specifically he learned about the Christian faith from Muslim "mystics" and poets.