An undercover video recently captured Reverend Babs Miller, an “out” lesbian chaplain at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, discussing her concerns about James Talarico’s shifting stance on LGBTQ issues ahead of his U.S. Senate campaign.
In the clip, dated last Thursday, Miller expressed frustration that Talarico has pivoted from his previous position that “God is nonbinary” to center-ground messaging aimed at winning the race against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“I can guarantee you that once he gets elected, he’ll change his tune back to where he was,” she stated.
Miller described Talarico’s strategy as a “game,” explaining that his campaign has convinced him the Democratic Party is backing off on transgender rights and other issues. She added: “His staff is encouraging him to do the same thing, just for the next 50 days.”
“I think it’s bad advice, personally,” Miller said in the video. “But if it helps him win, OK.”
According to reports, Miller and Talarico first met when he was in kindergarten. She recalled him as a “very special kid” whom she called “Jimmy.” The church noted that Miller retired just before the pandemic but returned in 2022.
Miller emphasized her support for Talarico’s ability to balance faith and politics: “I think he has done an amazing job of being able to model that you can be a politician, and you don’t have to give up your faith.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump described Talarico in March as “the Worst Candidate I have ever seen,” citing his “six genders,” insults to Jesus, vegan diet, mask-wearing through 2023-2024, and perceived weakness.
The church, Miller, and Talarico’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
