Within the last week, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton has claimed his opponent holds views “antithetical … to historical Christian views” while refusing to answer questions about his own alleged illegal voting.
Paxton, a Southern Baptist layman, will face Presbyterian minister James Talarico in this November’s general election for a U.S. Senate seat from Texas. Paxton already defeated Republican incumbent John Cornyn, a devout Catholic, in the May primary.
Paxton has been dogged by ethics complaints for decades and was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives but spared conviction by the Texas Senate after Donald Trump threatened revenge against any state senator who voted against Paxton. This year, Trump endorsed Paxton in the primary despite a trail of ethics complaints.
One of the key themes of Paxton and the GOP in general against Talarico is that he is not an authentic Christian but someone who embraces the Social Gospel. That makes him not only a liberal in their eyes but also not a Christian. Other Republican leaders have falsely labeled Talarico as a homosexual and a transgender man.
“His views are antithetical to Christian, historical Christian views.”
On June 25, Paxton appeared on the “Lieutenant Dan” podcast with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and said this about Talarico: “His views are antithetical to Christian, historical Christian views. They’re — it’s deceptive for him to present his views as historical Christianity. They are not Christian views. They are his views that he’s adopted from liberal theology that do not reflect what Scripture says. None of his views that I’ve heard match up. They’re literally the opposite of Christianity.”
Talarico’s “liberal” views include the belief that Christians should care for the poor, welcome immigrants, support public education, reject Christian nationalism, protect religious freedom and treat LGBTQ people with dignity.
Paxton recently reached an out-of-court divorce settlement with his estranged wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, who filed for divorce “on biblical grounds.” The Texas attorney general’s extramarital relationships have been well documented.
Nevertheless, Paxton portrays himself as the “biblical” and “Christian” candidate in the U.S. Senate race. Lt. Gov. Patrick has been his ally in this crusade, going to far as to say Talarico is going to hell for his beliefs.
Now, joint reporting by Texas Tribune and ProPublica finds Paxton on multiple occasions voted while registered at an address where he did not reside. Also, The New York Times reported that Paxton has acquired 15 residential properties valued at $9 million, raising questions about how he acquired such wealth on a state salary.
On Tuesday, July 21, reporters attempted to ask Paxton about these irregularities during a press conference on law enforcement. Flanked by nearly two dozen law officers in cowboy hats, Paxton was asked, “I wanted to give you a chance to respond to state Rep. Talarico and his campaign. They’ve made a lot about the reports that have come out, one in The New York Times about you acquiring properties worth —”
Paxton interrupted, “So Jack, can we keep this to law enforcement today?”
“Well, I’m giving you the opportunity to answer the question,” the reporter replied.
“We’re here with the sheriffs, I’d like to keep today to law enforcement, so that’s what I’m gonna answer, questions about law enforcement,” Paxton responded.
Soon thereafter, Paxton was asked another question he did not want to answer: “Will you answer a question about why you voted in Collin County? Clear that up?”
The reporter who asked that question was shut down by a staffer while Paxton began to leave the stage. He had been standing behind a podium with an image of Talarico that said his opponent is “handcuffed to his record.”
Talarico campaign spokesperson JT Ennis responded to Tuesday’s events: “Ken Paxton just refused to answer basic questions about reports he committed voter fraud and expanded his real estate portfolio to 15 properties on a government salary — because he has no answers for his corruption.”
Paxton and his campaign have portrayed him as a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, and church records indicate his membership remains there. In Baptist terminology, he has not “moved his letter” to another church or asked to be removed from the church rolls. Yet by all accounts, he has not attended the church in about eight years.
Related:
Don’t miss the faith argument in Talarico v. Paxton | Opinion by Mark Wingfield
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The Ken Paxton Cruelty Show continues | Opinion by Mark Wingfield
Ken and Angela Paxton do a little sidestep — while quoting Bible verses | Opinion by Rodney Kennedy
Ken Paxton and the NRA bullies are at it again | Opinion by Mark Wingfield
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