Christianity

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., is heavily favored to win a third full term representing his New Orleans-to-Baton Rouge district on Nov. 3, facing token opposition from four little-funded challengers, including Republican Peter Williams. Carter, who is running unopposed to become the next chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, says the post will position him prominently ahead of the next presidential race, arguing "all roads to the White House will go through the South." He criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both Louisiana Republicans, for backing Trump-era Medicaid cuts he says will hurt their own constituents. Carter expects Democrats to retake the House majority, giving him a larger platform to push back on Medicaid cuts and ICE enforcement tactics.

Adam Hamilton, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Kansas and senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, said in resurfaced podcast remarks that belief in the Virgin Birth is not required to be a Christian, calling the doctrine a theological rather than biological claim. He noted the virgin birth appears only in Matthew and Luke's gospels and not elsewhere in the New Testament, arguing insistence on it as a requirement stems from Christian fundamentalism. Hamilton said he personally believes the story but welcomes those who doubt it. He is challenging incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) in a race polling shows as close, with Hamilton previously drawing scrutiny for other unorthodox theological statements and progressive social positions.

The Texas Senate race between Democratic nominee James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has become one of the most expensive nonpresidential contests in U.S. history, with more than half a billion dollars already spent on advertising. Polls show Talarico holding a narrow lead, fueling Democratic hopes in a state the party hasn't won statewide in 32 years.

The contest increasingly centers on competing portrayals of Talarico. He has campaigned as a bipartisan, faith-driven Texan with policy proposals including capping credit card rates, cutting middle-class taxes, and helping first-time homebuyers. Paxton and allies have cast him as a "weird" radical, citing past remarks he later renounced about gender and sexuality. Vice President JD Vance campaigned for Paxton this week, drawing attention for a joke referencing Talarico's relationship with a former aide.

With both sides pouring unprecedented resources into the race, it has become a closely watched test of whether Democrats can break Texas's long Republican hold on statewide office.

Illinois voters head to the polls Nov. 3 to fill an open U.S. Senate seat and decide contests for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller and treasurer. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton faces Republican Don Tracy for the Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, running with new lieutenant governor pick Christian Mitchell, seeks a third term in a rematch against Darren Bailey, who has Donald Trump's endorsement and running mate Aaron Del Mar.

Incumbent Attorney General Kwame Raoul faces Republican Bob Fioretti, while Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, now also running for Chicago mayor, is challenged by Republican Diane Harris. With Comptroller Susana Mendoza not seeking re-election amid her own mayoral bid, Democrat Margaret Croke and Republican Bryan Drew are competing for that office. Treasurer Mike Frerichs seeks re-election against Republican Max Solomon. The races will shape state policy on taxes, spending oversight, abortion access and Illinois' relationship with the Trump administration, with early and mail voting available ahead of Election Day.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1803, a law requiring all employers with five or more workers—including churches and religious nonprofits—to provide "anti-hate speech" training starting January 1, 2028. The law directs the state's Civil Rights Department to define what constitutes speech that "vilifies, humiliates, or incites hatred" based on protected characteristics such as sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, but does not itself define these terms.

Critics, including the California Family Council, argue the measure fails to exempt religious organizations' First Amendment rights and could compel churches to adopt messaging conflicting with biblical teachings on sexuality and marriage. The requirement builds on existing sexual harassment training rules, which California has already interpreted to classify misgendering as harassment. Employers may use the state's free curriculum or develop their own training. Opponents are urging religious organizations to seek faith-based accommodations and are preparing legal pushback ahead of the law's implementation.

Democratic candidate David Jolly and Republican Rep. Byron Donalds outlined contrasting positions ahead of Florida's gubernatorial election. Jolly said he would impose a moratorium on hyperscale data centers on his first day in office, citing health and environmental concerns and polling showing broad voter opposition. Donalds countered that siting decisions belong to local governments under existing law, pledging to guard against utility rate hikes and protect water supplies. On AI, Jolly called for guardrails around job displacement and classroom use, while Donalds argued the technology is already too widespread to regulate away and pointed to space-industry growth as an economic opportunity.

The candidates also diverged on Amendment 3, the property tax relief measure on next month's ballot. Jolly said he plans to vote no, warning it would strip funding from law enforcement, and favors targeted relief such as a homestead exemption for first-time buyers. Donalds backs the amendment, arguing property taxes have surged and that public safety funding is protected. Both campaigns have intensified outreach to Black voters in the closing weeks: Donalds unveiled a coalition of Black leaders and faced pointed questions from students during a visit to Florida A&M University, while Jolly has accused him of pursuing an "anti-Black agenda," citing past votes and remarks. A Donalds win would make him Florida's first Black governor; a Jolly win would end a decades-long Democratic drought in the governor's mansion.

Matthew Dantzer, former mayor of Magnolia, Texas, pleaded guilty Friday to assault of a pregnant person, a felony, and official oppression, a misdemeanor, stemming from a 2023 incident at a work conference in Fort Worth. Then-City Secretary Christian Gable alleged Dantzer sexually harassed her and grabbed her by the throat while she was pregnant.

A judge sentenced Dantzer to two years of deferred adjudication probation, allowing him to avoid a formal conviction if he completes the terms. Under the plea agreement he must pay a $4,000 fine, perform community service, and have no contact with Gable. He had previously denied the allegations before his arrest earlier this year.

Dantzer did not seek re-election after his term ended in May, and Gable has since resigned, citing an uncomfortable work environment following the incident. Though the criminal case is resolved, Dantzer still faces three active federal civil lawsuits connected to the allegations.

At Texas Faith Fest, an annual event hosted by advocacy group Texas Values, Republican state lawmakers and pastors discussed policy proposals aimed at restricting Islamic religious practice in the state. During a panel titled "Don't Sharia My Texas," speakers called for banning public vouchers for Islamic schools, prohibiting halal food in prisons and other public institutions, and barring broadcasts of the Muslim call to prayer. Some panelists, including a Texas Values board member, questioned whether Islam should be recognized as a religion at all and said the goal was to make Muslims feel unwelcome enough to leave Texas.

The proposals follow Gov. Greg Abbott's earlier pledge to "fully ban sharia law in Texas" after controversy over a planned Muslim-centric development near Dallas. Muslims make up roughly 2% of Texas's population. Religious liberty scholars warned that government-sanctioned favoritism toward one faith could violate First Amendment protections and set a precedent threatening religious freedom broadly, while some lawmakers argued their proposals, such as banning all religious dietary accommodations, would apply neutrally across faiths.