Jordan Walker Ross, an actor on the faith-based series “The Chosen,” endorsed Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico in a campaign video released Thursday. The video promoted “Faithful Texans for Talarico,” a coalition intended to engage religious voters ahead of November’s election.
Ross said Talarico’s conduct reflected Christian values, citing what he described as the candidate’s care for neighbors and vulnerable people. Talarico is a Presbyterian seminarian and is running against Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
A spokesperson for Paxton’s campaign disputed Ross’ characterization. The spokesperson accused Talarico of invoking religion to defend progressive positions on social issues, including transgender issues, abortion and immigration. Those statements were the campaign’s claims; the source material does not provide a response from Talarico to them.
The endorsement also prompted criticism from Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican. In a post on X, Harrison argued that public funds were helping support actors who endorse Democrats. He criticized the state’s film incentive program, expanded under Senate Bill 22, and said he planned to introduce legislation next session to repeal the subsidies.
The payment records cited in the report show that The Chosen Texas LLC received about $862,527 for the series’ second season in 2022 and about $1.995 million for its fourth season in March 2025. The report says both payments came before the law’s effective date in September 2025. Harrison nevertheless argued that production incentives could subsidize actor salaries directly or indirectly and called the program a misuse of taxpayer money.
Ross defended the incentives, saying the Texas film industry creates jobs for residents across the political spectrum. He also objected to linking production opportunities to actors’ political endorsements, arguing that actors and filmmakers on both sides should be free to express their views. Ross said he believed Talarico offered a clear vision for change.
Brittany Hughes, a video host at the Media Research Center, said Ross was entitled to his political choice but should not be treated as a source of theological authority because he plays an apostle on television. Hughes also argued that some of Talarico’s public positions conflict with Christian principles. Her comments were presented as her assessment of the candidate’s views.
Lisa Cusack, president of the Don’t L.A. My Burbank PAC, questioned whether Ross’ endorsement would persuade Texas voters. She also said his progressive politics could distance some Christian viewers from the series. Ross responded that political disagreements need not prevent productive conversations with fans, and said he engages viewers with compassion and curiosity.
Paxton announced a competing “Pastors for Paxton” coalition with 27 faith leaders during the same week, according to the report. Fox News Digital said it sought comment from Talarico and the Texas Film Commission but had not received responses at publication time.
