Neil Bush, a lifelong Republican and son of the late President George H.W. Bush, publicly announced his support for Democratic candidate James Talarico in the race for the Texas Senate. In a statement posted to social media, Bush explained that he chose to cross party lines to vote for Talarico rather than the Republican incumbent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Bush stated that his decision was driven by being “deeply troubled” by Paxton’s conduct while in office. Conversely, he expressed that he was “enormously impressed” by Talarico’s principles. This endorsement highlights a notable divide within the Republican Party, as Bush identifies as a moderate Republican who is willing to break with party tradition in this specific contest. The race between Talarico and Paxton has been characterized as highly competitive, and Bush’s public stance serves as a signal of the internal friction currently present among some factions of the Texas GOP regarding their leadership and candidate choices.