James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Texas, faced pointed questions from Republican and independent voters during a town hall event held on Wednesday evening. The session, co-hosted by CNN and the Jubilee Media digital platform, saw Talarico addressed issues ranging from Israel’s military operations in Gaza and abortion rights to foreign aid and economic inequality.

During the event, a young Republican activist, who had recently supported Talarico’s opponent and volunteered for the party’s midterm convention in Dallas, challenged Talarico on his religious beliefs. The voter referenced a previous statement by Talarico in which he described God as nonbinary. Talarico acknowledged making the comment intentionally to provoke thought but clarified his position by explaining that the idea of defining God through human categories is not uncommon among theologians, citing similar views expressed by public figures such as late Pope Benedict and conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. He also emphasized his openness to feedback from Christian constituents.

The issue of abortion rights also drew intense scrutiny. Jodi Hunt, who identified herself as a single-issue Catholic voter, questioned Talarico’s pro-choice stance and asked how he could assure voters that he would protect those opposed to abortion. Talarico responded by stating that the Bible does not explicitly address abortion, a point Hunt countered by citing the commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” Acknowledging moral differences, Talarico framed the debate in terms of shared public policy goals, emphasizing the importance of reducing unplanned pregnancies as a public health strategy.

Throughout the town hall, Talarico positioned himself as a moderate candidate striving to prioritize the needs of Texans above partisan politics. He criticized the concentration of wealth among the ultra-rich, identifying economic inequality as a significant concern and suggesting that the wealthy represent a common adversary in the political landscape.

The town hall format allowed voters to engage directly with Talarico, providing insight into the challenges he faces in what is shaping up to be a competitive Senate race in Texas.