A minister at James Talarico's church in Austin, Texas, questioned several traditional Christian teachings in undercover footage published on 23 September 2026. The Rev. Babs Miller, minister to the parish at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, said Jesus 'didn't die to save our sins'. Miller also described the God of the Old Testament as 'vengeful' and questioned the virgin birth and Jesus' historical existence. The footage was obtained by The Daily Wire from an undercover journalist posing as a prospective church member.
St Andrew's is a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation where Talarico has said he has attended since he was two years old. Talarico is a Democratic Texas state representative and his party's nominee for the US Senate. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee, while Libertarian Ted Brown is also on the ballot. The election is scheduled for 3 November.
What Babs Miller Said in the Undercover Footage
In the recording, Miller presented the crucifixion primarily as a political execution carried out by Roman authorities. Miller said Jesus was killed because Rome viewed him as a threat, adding that he 'didn't die to save our sins'.
Miller also rejected the idea that Jesus' death should be understood as God sacrificing his son for humanity. On the Old Testament, Miller described God as 'vengeful' and characterised much of the material as mythology.
The minister also questioned the virgin birth and said there was no way to know whether Jesus existed. Her statement conflicts with the broad view in historical scholarship that Jesus of Nazareth was a historical figure. Scholars continue to debate many details about his life and the reliability of surviving accounts.
The footage was released in edited form rather than as a full, unbroken conversation. That means the published recording does not establish the full context of the discussion or how the remarks developed. The Daily Wire said it contacted Talarico's campaign and St Andrew's but received no response before publication.
Miller's comments should also be distinguished from Talarico's own religious views. The recording does not establish that Talarico shares Miller's beliefs or that they represent the formal doctrine of Presbyterian Church (USA).
Why The Remarks Have Entered the Texas Senate Race
Talarico's longstanding connection to St Andrew's has made Miller's remarks a subject of political criticism during the Senate campaign. Talarico told the congregation in 2023 that he had attended the church since age two. The church's longtime pastor is Jim Rigby, while Miller serves as minister to the parish.
Talarico has also spoken publicly about Christianity in remarks that have resurfaced during the campaign. In a March 2021 episode of the Activist Theology Podcast, he called himself 'a Christian who hates Christianity'.
The sentence immediately following that remark provides important context. Talarico said he continued to be drawn back to Christianity because he found Jesus' teachings radical and revolutionary. The remark therefore should not be presented by itself as evidence that Talarico rejects Christianity.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz was among those who criticised Miller's comments after footage circulated online. His response challenged Miller's theology and described the minister as a political activist. Those were Cruz's political and religious characterisations, rather than independent findings about Talarico's beliefs.
The controversy follows earlier undercover footage in which Miller discussed Talarico's positions on transgender-related policy. Miller predicted Talarico would change those positions after the election, but that prediction does not establish the candidate's intentions.
Talarico has recently said he would support a national ban on gender-transition surgeries for minors. He has also opposed transgender athletes competing in girls' sports when he believes safety or fairness is at risk. Talarico has argued that those positions are consistent with his previous legislative votes.
Recent polling has shown closely divided results between the two major-party Senate candidates, although individual surveys differ. An NBC News/Mason-Dixon poll conducted from 8-10 September put Talarico at 46% and Paxton at 43%, with a four-point margin of error.
The church footage therefore introduces another dispute over religion into the Texas Senate campaign. It does not, by itself, establish Talarico's personal theology or how he would act if elected.
