Arkansas – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders criticized Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico after he defended abortion rights by referencing his Christian faith during a recent interview.
Talarico, a Texas state representative and Democratic Senate nominee, said during an appearance on “The Jamie Kern Lima Show” that he believes abortion decisions should not be controlled by politicians or the government. He also stated that his views are shaped by his faith, arguing that Jesus never directly addressed abortion and that “the Bible is silent on abortion.”
The comments quickly drew criticism from conservative political figures and commentators across social media. In a post shared online, Sanders responded by quoting Jeremiah 1:5, writing, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” She added that “the God of the universe undeniably values life at all stages” and called it “absolutely disgusting” for Talarico to suggest otherwise, WFMD reported.
Talarico’s remarks came as abortion continues to remain a major political issue ahead of the 2026 election cycle in Texas and nationally. During the interview, he said he trusts women to make decisions about their own bodies and argued that government should not be involved in those choices.
The exchange generated widespread discussion online, with supporters and critics debating the role of religion in political debates surrounding abortion policy. Conservative media outlets and commentators also revisited some of Talarico’s past statements on religion and social issues following the interview.