Pastor Frederick Haynes, the Democratic nominee seeking to replace Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Texas’ 30th Congressional District, drew attention following remarks about Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk after Kirk’s death, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Haynes, the longtime pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in southern Dallas, won the Democratic primary on Tuesday evening.

He entered the race after Crockett launched a failed bid for the U.S. Senate and later received her endorsement in the contest.

Shortly after the killing of Kirk, Haynes addressed the topic during a sermon at his church the following Sunday, delivering remarks that criticized the conservative activist and disputed how his death was being described.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

“A white Christian gets killed, murdered, not assassinated,” Haynes said from the pulpit.

He continued, “We gonna tell the whole truth today. Martin King got assassinated. Malcolm X got assassinated. Don’t compare Kirk to King. Ain’t no such comparison now.”

While stating that he opposed political violence and that Kirk should not have died, Haynes also sharply criticized Kirk’s public commentary and influence.

“What Kirk said was dangerous. What Kirk said was racist, rooted in white supremacy, nasty, and hate-filled,” Haynes said.

Jasmine Crockett's replacement in Congress will be none other than her pastor Frederick Haynes.

The Sunday after Charlie Kirk's murder, he attacked him as a "dangerous, hate-filled white Christian" who wasn't assassinated. https://t.co/GgEhOx48Lb pic.twitter.com/u4t5pDVOrM — Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 4, 2026

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Haynes has served for years as pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, a large congregation in southern Dallas.

His political profile has grown over time through sermons, public speaking, and activism focused on social justice and political issues.

The pastor has also been known for statements and positions that critics have described as controversial or inflammatory.

Haynes has publicly praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, referring to him as a “wonderful and great man.” Farrakhan has long been a polarizing figure in American politics and religious life.

Haynes has also called for reparations for black Americans. In a 2022 statement addressing the issue, he said the United States owes a moral debt because of its historical treatment of black Americans.

“America, you owe us. What you done to us has been immoral. It’s been evil. It’s been unjust. It’s been downright wrong, and the only way to bring salvation to America – you gotta pay us what you owe us,” Haynes said during a speech that year.

During a sermon delivered in 2022 at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Haynes criticized what he described as a “slave Bible hermeneutic” that “divorces Jesus from justice” and turns Christianity into what he called “Americanity” that is captive to capitalism.

In that sermon, he adapted language from Matthew 25 while addressing political and social issues.

“I was hungry but you cut aid to dependent children. I was thirsty and you contaminated water in Flint, Michigan. I was a stranger and you built a wall on the border. I was in prison because of the prison industrial complex. America, go to hell,” Haynes said.

He also stated during the same address, “I’m a heretic in the name of Jesus.”

Haynes continued making political statements in public events following that appearance.

At a White House rally the following year, he said the United States was “born in the sin of a hostile, genocidal takeover of Indigenous land and shaped by anti-black White supremacy.”

In another sermon, Haynes challenged claims that the United States has historically avoided political violence.

“America was born in political violence. America committed political violence during the slave trade, America committed political violence when black bodies hung as strange fruit from old southern trees, America committed political violence against the Irish, against the Italians, before they became white,” he said.

Haynes’ political platform includes policies associated with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Among them are support for universal health care and calls to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Texas’ 30th Congressional District has historically favored Democratic candidates in general elections. With that voting history in place, Haynes is widely expected to have a strong advantage heading into the November general election.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.