Talarico Cites 2 Christian Roots in Texas Senate Race

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 1

James Talarico said pastor Jim Rigby, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and his Baptist-preacher grandfather were the biggest influences on his faith and public life.
St. Andrew’s offers a window into the Democrat’s Christianity: Rigby’s recent sermon revisited the Apostle Paul while also drawing on the Bhagavad Gita and the Buddha.
Rigby has led the Austin church since the 1980s, baptized Talarico as a toddler and married his parents, ties that help explain the candidate’s long relationship with the congregation.
The faith profile matters politically because Talarico is trying to become the first Democrat to win statewide office in Texas in roughly 1 generation.

When a pastor's controversial past surfaces, how does it affect his protégé's faith-based political campaign?