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Neil Bush says he voted for James Talarico in Texas Senate race

politicsNov 1, 2026161,503

Neil Bush, brother of former President George W. Bush, said he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, writing in a Facebook post that his decision reflected "deep concern about Ken Paxton's record and genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico." Bush criticized President Trump and "those who have enabled him" for causing "enormous damage to the Republican Party" and said he remains a Republican who believes "character matters more than party affiliation." Bush highlighted Paxton's conduct as Texas attorney general, including Paxton's decision to challenge the 2020 presidential election results in other states, as a source of his concern. The contest between Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is one of the country's most closely contested Senate races, with early voting underway and CBS News polling and its Battleground Tracker rating the race a toss up. Bush praised Talarico for integrity, civility, humility, a willingness to listen, and noted he has not met him but is "enormously impressed" by how Talarico approaches complicated issues. Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in 2023 on separate accusations and was acquitted in the state Senate trial; he also defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary after receiving former President Trump's endorsement.

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