In a statement that is now going viral on social media, Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico has reignited controversy over his 2021 assertion that “God is nonbinary.” The remark, originally made during a floor speech in the Texas House of Representatives, has been resurfaced by Republican leaders and conservative commentators just days after Talarico secured the Democratic nomination.
Talarico, a state representative and seminary student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, made the comment while opposing legislation aimed at protecting girls’ sports from biological males. In the clip circulating widely online, he stated: “God is both masculine and feminine and everything in between. God is nonbinary.” He framed the remark as a theological defense of his position on transgender issues, citing passages from Genesis to argue that God transcends traditional gender categories.
The timing could not be more charged. Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March 2026 Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. With the general election approaching, Republicans have wasted no time highlighting the statement as evidence of what they call a radical departure from mainstream Christian belief.
“God is nonbinary”
– The Democrat nominee for Texas Senate pic.twitter.com/TVtqTLMim4
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) March 4, 2026
Prominent conservative voices have been quick to respond. Fox News contributor and former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen reacted bluntly to the viral video, calling the nominee’s view “sick.” The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) amplified the clip with a post introducing Talarico to voters as the Democrat who believes “God is nonbinary,” signaling that the issue will feature heavily in attack ads this fall.
Traditional Christian teaching, as understood by millions of evangelicals, Catholics, and Orthodox believers, refers to God in masculine terms throughout Scripture—most notably as “Father” in the Lord’s Prayer and through the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the Son. While some theologians note that God is spirit and not biologically male or female (a point echoed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church), conservatives argue that Talarico’s language imports modern gender ideology into sacred text rather than faithfully interpreting it. They contend that reducing God to “nonbinary” or “everything in between” strips away the personal, relational nature of the biblical God who reveals Himself consistently as He.
Talarico has defended his position as “not theologically controversial,” insisting he was simply pointing out that God is beyond human gender limitations. He has built his campaign around a progressive Christian identity, frequently quoting Scripture to support left-leaning policies on abortion, economic justice, and LGBTQ issues. In previous interviews, he has also suggested the Bible permits abortion and that other religions “point to the same truth” as Christianity.
For many Texas conservatives, however, these views represent a troubling trend: the weaponization of Christianity to advance secular progressive causes. Texas remains one of the most religiously conservative states in the nation, with strong evangelical and Catholic populations that overwhelmingly reject gender ideology and view the nuclear family and traditional biblical anthropology as foundational.
As the race against either Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton heats up, Talarico’s past statements are likely to become central campaign themes. Republicans will argue that his theology reflects the broader Democratic Party’s embrace of “woke” ideology over historic Christian doctrine. Democrats, meanwhile, may attempt to portray him as a thoughtful faith leader reclaiming Christianity from the right.
One thing is clear: Texas voters will have a stark choice in November. On one side, a candidate who frames God in the language of contemporary gender theory. On the other, the Republican nominee defending the timeless truths of Scripture that have guided the Lone Star State for generations.
This story is developing, and conservatives across Texas are watching closely to see whether Talarico doubles down on his remarks or attempts to walk them back in the face of growing public scrutiny. For now, the viral clip has done what Republican strategists hoped: put the nominee’s most provocative statements front and center for every voter to judge.