In Texas, Democrats have tried it all. They’ve raised piles of money, grabbed national headlines, and made their case in every one of the state’s 254 counties. And election after election, they’ve come up empty.

This time, state Rep. James Talarico is taking a different swing. The young Democratic lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian isn’t shying away from what sets him apart—he’s talking openly about his faith and how it drives his politics. It’s a bet that a new kind of pitch might finally crack a decades-long losing streak.

Last month, Talarico jumped into the race for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, joining a primary that includes former Texas Rep. Colin Allred, who lost to Sen. Ted Cruz in last year’s election. At 36, Talarico, a former teacher, insists he can do what

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