Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Friday said Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Rep. James Talarico will "go to hell" for his interpretations of the Bible, as Talarico has made his Christian faith a cornerstone of his campaign.

Speaking at the Republican Party of Texas' convention in Houston, Patrick accused Talarico, an Austin state representative, of introducing faith into the contentious Senate race, expected to be expensive and brutal as Democrats seek to capitalize on anti-Trump sentiment to claim the minority party's first statewide victory in more than three decades.

Sign up "It's James Talarico who decided to bring the Bible into this election. And let me tell you, that's not a Bible I've ever read. I've never seen so much blasphemy from anyone running for office," Patrick said to an uproar of applause.