(Photo: AP)
A self-described “devout Christian” Democrat running for the United States Senate is facing uncomfortable questions after a report revealed he had been following prostitutes, porn stars and OnlyFans models on social media.Texas state representative James Talarico is accused of interacting with several adult content creators online, according to the New York Post. The lawmaker from Texas was found to be following at least ten accounts linked to escorts, adult film actresses or OnlyFans models. The findings are awkward for Talarico, who often speaks about his Christian faith and is also studying at a seminary.The report said Talarico had liked images posted by one of the women and had exchanged private messages with another. A screenshot released by his own campaign showed him replying to OnlyFans model Alice Greczyn after she tagged him in a story. “Thank you, Alice!” he wrote. Greczyn responded, “Thank YOU! Really appreciate your work. It heartens me to see there are politicians like you.” His campaign said there were no further messages between them.Talarico has gained national attention for speeches that mix religion with progressive politics. He has previously called Jesus Christ a “radical feminist” and told a Texas House hearing that “modern science obviously recognises that there are many more than two biological sexes … in fact, there are six, which honestly … surprised me, too.”The investigation also found he had liked images from Instagram user Allie Pentz, who reportedly has a profile on an adult escort website, and that he followed adult performer Giselle Palmer. Some accounts contained explicit content and links to pornographic websites.His spokesperson Cody Ennis said both Talarico and campaign staff follow back accounts with large audiences and do not investigate the backgrounds of those users. “While James was unaware of how these women make money, he does not judge them for it and will not play into an effort to smear them for clickbait articles,” Ennis said. “That’s exactly what his Christian faith calls him to do.”Talarico grew up in a progressive Presbyterian church and has often spoken about being raised by a single mother.
