Neil Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush, announced Tuesday that he voted for Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, citing concerns about Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and criticism of former President Donald Trump. Bush, a lifelong Republican, wrote in a Facebook post that his vote was motivated by 'deep concern about Ken Paxton's record' and 'genuine admiration for the character and principles' he sees in Talarico. Bush also expressed 'deep[] trouble[] by Paxton's conduct as Texas Attorney General, particularly his decision to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in other states in an effort to help Donald Trump remain in power.'
Talarico, a state representative, is facing Paxton in one of the country's most closely contested Senate races. Early voting began Monday. Bush, who has largely avoided criticizing the sitting president since George W. Bush left office in 2009, added that 'character matters more than party affiliation' and that 'our democracy depends on leaders who respect our institutions, tell the truth, accept accountability, and seek to unite rather than divide.'
The race has drawn attention due to its competitiveness and the involvement of prominent political figures. George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush and nephew of Neil and George W. Bush, unsuccessfully challenged Paxton in the 2022 Republican primary for attorney general. The Bush family has historically been associated with the rise of the Republican Party in Texas, which dominated state politics for decades following George W. Bush's 1994 gubernatorial victory over Democratic Gov. Ann Richards.
Talarico has sought to address concerns among black voters, a key Democratic constituency. Recent polling suggests he has made progress in closing an enthusiasm gap but still lacks support from 15%-20% of black voters, who typically vote overwhelmingly for Democrats. Meanwhile, Paxton has faced challenges uniting the Republican base. Talarico leads Paxton by 2 points in recent polls for the November election, according to a RealClearPolitics average.
The race has also become a focal point for debates over LGBTQ+ issues. Talarico has faced scrutiny for past comments and his association with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which strongly advocates for 'gender-affirming care' for minors. While Talarico has stated he does not support sex-change procedures for minors, his past alignment with HRC—including receiving its endorsement and communications consulting—has drawn criticism from Paxton and his supporters. Paxton’s campaign has highlighted Talarico’s past remarks, such as claims that God is 'nonbinary' and that there are six genders. Multiple polls since 2023 indicate that most Texas voters support banning transgender hormone drugs and surgeries for children, a policy Texas enacted in 2023. Talarico’s team and HRC did not respond to requests for comment.