Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico faces mounting backlash after a resurfaced video of his remarks on Bible education in Texas public schools ignited fierce criticism from conservative Christians and opponents across the state.

Talarico, who is running to replace Republican Sen. John Cornyn, previously described updated Texas school standards—which mandate biblical references in curricula—as an effort to “push propaganda” and “indoctrinate” young students. His comments have drawn immediate condemnation from Texas Values, a conservative advocacy group, which stated that the curriculum he referenced was actually the Bluebonnet English language arts program adopted in early 2024.

According to reports from the State Board of Education, the Bluebonnet curriculum integrates biblical passages into historical context—such as analyzing idioms in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech—to improve reading comprehension and literacy among students. The program passed with strong support from Texas educators and parents, who testified to its educational value. Talarico’s characterization of it as an attempt to teach biblical stories “as fact” to kindergarten through fifth graders has been labeled misleading by multiple sources.

A recent Fox News poll revealed stark divisions in the race: 78% of white evangelicals favor Republican Ken Paxton over Talarico, while 51% of registered Texas voters and 63% of moderates support Talarico. Paxton’s campaign has emphasized his commitment to conservative Christian values—including protecting unborn children and preserving Judeo-Christian heritage—as opposed to Talarico’s progressive stance on issues like LGBTQ+ inclusion and religious pluralism.

Talarico attends Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary but is currently on leave from his degree program, a detail highlighted by critics as inconsistent with his stated priorities. Conservative analysts note that his opposition to Bible-based curricula aligns with broader ideological positions that critics argue contradict traditional Christian teachings.

The controversy underscores deepening tensions in Texas over the role of religious education in public schools, with state leaders and voters now confronting divergent visions of faith and governance ahead of November’s election cycle.