James Talarico

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.

I don't think they should vote for me because of my faith, but hopefully the faith we share can open a door.

Then we can have conversations about other things.

And I don't want people to overthink this,

You don't have to be a political scientist.

Think about how you build relationships in your own life.

That's what you're going to do in politics.

The relationship between a candidate and a voter or a voter and a voter is just like any other relationship.

It requires honesty.