James Talarico

You always hear this, especially if you, you know, are out on the coasts.

You know, why do all these people vote against their material interests?

You've heard that before, I'm sure.

Such a condescending thing to say to somebody.

It's actually like they don't know how to make decisions for their own lives.

They don't know what they need.

People have many interests outside of material interests.

There are some very wealthy Democrats who vote against their material interests on a regular basis.

People have cultural interests.

They have personal interests.

They have spiritual interests.

And the Democratic Party culturally, in many ways, has become hostile to some of these cultural values in red states, in red communities.

Faith may be being foremost among them.

Again, I don't agree with everyone who shares my faith.

I don't agree with every member of the body of Christ, but I am part of that body.

And we share something deeper than partisanship.

We share something deeper than public policy.

We share a commitment, a witness, a practice, a tradition.

And that is an opportunity for connection.

People aren't gonna vote for me because of my faith.