Pastor's Crucifixion Remarks Spark Political Firestorm

0:00A Tennessee pastor who serves a spiritual advisor to defend Secretary Pete Hagueceth sparked outrage by saying on a podcast that he wants Texas. Democrat James Tolerico crucified with Christ. Potterger made the comment while discussing Tolerico, a state representative now running for U.S. Senate against incumbent John Kornin. The pastor later explained he was referencing a Bible verse about spiritual death and rebirth in faith. The remarks came on the conservative Christian podcast, Reformation Red Pill, hosted by Joshua Hames, a former intern at Potterger's Church near Nashville. Hames prayed for God to end Tolerico's current life and bring him to new faith, with Potterger agreeing they wanted him crucified in that spiritual. Since Tolerico, who often shares his own Christian beliefs on the campaign trail, responded calmly on social media, saying love, overcomes hate, and criticizing Christian nationalism. The comments blew up online, drawing widespread attention to the heated exchange between

1:00the pastor and the candidate. Potterger's Church belongs to the communion of reform evangelical churches, a network with strict views on gender roles that Hagueceth has supported in the past. President Donald Trump also weighed in, blasting Tolerico as one of the worst candidates he's seen. Tolerico pushes forward in his Senate bid after a primary win. This clash highlights tensions between faith, politics, and rhetoric in the race. That wraps Dallas News Today, brought to you with AI. I'm Corey, with the story.