Neil Bush votes for Democrat Talarico in Texas Senate race

Neil Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush, said Tuesday that he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, crossing party lines because of concerns about Republican Ken Paxton’s record and admiration for Talarico’s character.

“My vote was motivated by two things: deep concern about Ken Paxton’s record and genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico,” Bush wrote in a Facebook post. Bush is also the son of former President George H.W. Bush.

Talarico faces Paxton, the Texas attorney general, in a closely contested race. Early voting began Monday. No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1988, but Talarico has held a narrow lead in most polls, including a recent CBS News poll. CBS News’ Battleground Tracker rates the race a toss-up.

Bush singled out Paxton’s effort to contest the 2020 presidential election results. “I have been deeply troubled 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,” he wrote.

Paxton was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015. Those charges were later settled as part of a diversion agreement. The Republican-controlled Texas House impeached him in 2023 on separate accusations of bribery and abuse of office, and the state Senate acquitted him.

Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a Republican primary earlier this year after receiving Trump’s endorsement. Trump has continued to back Paxton in the general election and has made several campaign trips to Texas on his behalf. Bush also criticized Trump and “those who have enabled him,” saying they had caused “enormous damage to the Republican Party.”

“I have been a Republican for most of my life, and I still believe deeply in many traditional Republican principles,” Bush wrote. “But character matters more than party affiliation. Our democracy depends on leaders who respect our institutions, tell the truth, accept accountability, and seek to unite rather than divide.”

Bush said he had never met Talarico, a seminarian, but praised the way he handles contentious issues. “He speaks with respect, seeks common ground, and seems genuinely interested in bringing people together rather than driving them apart,” Bush wrote. He called Talarico “a principled, pragmatic leader” and praised his “willingness to listen to those with whom he disagrees.”

The endorsement carries particular significance in Texas, where the Bush family has long been associated with the Republican Party’s rise. George W. Bush defeated Democratic Gov. Ann Richards in 1994, a victory that helped cement the party’s takeover of state politics. Another family member, George P. Bush, unsuccessfully challenged Paxton in the 2022 Republican primary for attorney general.

“Today, I voted against a style of politics that I believe has damaged our country,” Neil Bush wrote. “More importantly, I voted for the kind of character and leadership I hope will help heal it.”