Talarico Defends Faith and Abortion Views at Town Hall

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico defended his views on abortion and faith during a televised town hall with voters, where Catholic voter Jody Hunt challenged his assertion that the Bible is silent on abortion. The exchange was among several discussions of religion and policy at the forum hosted by CNN and Jubilee on Wednesday, October 14. Talarico said he believes abortion can be addressed through measures such as access to contraception, health care and age-appropriate sex education, which he argued could reduce unplanned pregnancies and abortions. Hunt, who described herself as a single-issue voter, responded that the Bible is not silent, citing the Ten Commandments’ prohibition on killing. The two maintained opposing interpretations of how that commandment applies to abortion. Talarico said he would not support abortion if he believed it was murder or violated the Ten Commandments. He framed the disagreement as one of differing moral conclusions while arguing that the two could share a goal of reducing abortions. Hunt also questioned government involvement in children’s education and contraception policy, saying parents should be their children’s primary...