Texas Democrat James Talarico rolled out endorsements from 21 current and former Republican officials Thursday as he prepares to face state Attorney General Ken Paxton in next year’s Senate race. The backing includes former members of Congress, state legislators, and party activists who say Paxton himself drove them to cross party lines.
The endorsements mark an unusual split within Texas Republican ranks, with several citing specific concerns about Paxton’s legal troubles and conduct in office as reasons for supporting his Democratic challenger.
Republicans Break Ranks Over Paxton Record
Among those backing Talarico are former GOP congressmen and state lawmakers who served alongside Paxton during his rise through Texas politics. Multiple endorsers pointed directly to the attorney general’s ongoing legal issues, including a suspended state securities fraud indictment and a separate FBI investigation into allegations of bribery and abuse of office.
The defections suggest Paxton’s legal baggage may cost him support even in deep-red Texas, where Republican primary voters have twice renominated him despite the charges. Paxton survived an impeachment effort by the Republican-controlled Texas House in 2023, with the state Senate voting to acquit him on all counts.
What’s at Stake in the Senate Race
The Senate seat currently held by Republican Ted Cruz is not up for election, meaning this race would determine who fills Texas’s other Senate seat when the current term expires. Talarico, a former public school teacher who entered the state House in 2019, has built a profile as a progressive voice on education funding and healthcare expansion.
Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994, making Talarico a significant underdog despite the Republican endorsements. But Democrats have steadily narrowed margins in recent cycles, with Beto O’Rourke losing to Cruz by just 2.6 points in 2018.
Paxton’s Response and Path Forward
Paxton’s campaign has not yet commented on the endorsements. The attorney general remains popular with the party’s conservative base and has aligned himself closely with former President Trump, who has defended Paxton throughout his legal troubles.
The November 2026 general election gives both campaigns 14 months to make their case to voters. Whether Republican defections signal broader erosion in Paxton’s support or remain isolated to party insiders will become clear as polling data emerges in coming months.
Key Points
- 21 Republican officials and party leaders endorsed Democrat James Talarico over GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas’s 2026 Senate race
- Multiple endorsers cited Paxton’s legal troubles, including securities fraud charges and FBI investigation, as reasons for their support
- Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat statewide since 1994, making Talarico a long-shot despite the Republican backing
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6081974-republicans-endorse-talarico/ – September 10, 2026
