Talarico Delivers Powerful Sermon as Texas Democrats' Walkout Reverberates Nationally

Two Sundays ago, nearly three dozen Texas Democratic lawmakers landed in Illinois, where they staged a surprise news conference announcing they had fled their state. Their walkout halted the GOP’s attempt to pass a gerrymandered congressional map — one ordered by President Donald Trump to help flip five seats and secure Republican control of the U.S. House for the remainder of his second term.

The bold move drew immediate national attention and is now shaping longer-term debates over gerrymandering, the stakes of the 2026 midterms, and the careers of lawmakers who have become central to the drama. Among them is Texas state Rep. James Talarico, who on Sunday received a warm welcome as he delivered a rare sermon from the pulpit of Chicago’s historic Trinity United Church of Christ, once home to Barack Obama.

Talarico, 36, is widely viewed as a rising political star. A lawmaker and seminary student, he often bridges faith and politics in his speeches. “‘On Earth as it is in heaven’ is a political statement,” he told the congregation. “Can we imagine poverty in heaven? Bigotry in heaven? War in heaven? Then why do we tolerate these things on Earth?” His message drew applause from hundreds in attendance.

Speculation already swirls about Talarico’s next step, including a potential run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn. Cornyn himself faces a high-profile GOP primary fight against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, with both men vying to show who can take the hardest line against the quorum-breaking Democrats. Cornyn has called for the FBI to track them down, while Paxton petitioned Illinois courts to compel law enforcement to arrest them — neither effort succeeded.

Meanwhile, Democratic governors have stepped into the fray. California’s Gavin Newsom, eyeing a possible 2028 presidential bid, cast himself as a foil to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, while Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker welcomed the Texas Democrats and defended them against threats of violence and detention. Pritzker, also considered a potential 2028 contender, has not ruled out his own state’s redistricting maneuvers, though Illinois’ map already heavily favors Democrats.

For his part, Talarico said the walkout has “galvanized the country.” He argued that people are finally paying attention to state legislatures, which often affect daily life more directly than Washington. Over the weekend, the Texas delegation also marched alongside hundreds in downtown Chicago to protest the redistricting effort.

Talarico’s profile has grown rapidly. Already a frequent critic of conservative religious leaders, he’s gained 1.2 million followers each on Instagram and TikTok, with clips from his podcast sparring sessions — including with Joe Rogan — going viral. The quorum break extended that spotlight, but with the Texas special session now ended, Democrats are preparing to return home, likely together and possibly after California acts on its own proposed map.

Even if Republicans push their map through upon the Democrats’ return, Talarico and his colleagues are framing the effort as a moral and political win, having drawn national scrutiny to gerrymandering. Preaching at Trinity, Talarico tied the fight to both American democracy and faith: “This democracy is more than a constitution; it’s a covenant. Some of the most powerful people in this nation are breaking that promise with every gerrymandered district, with every suppressed vote.”