Key facts
- Neil Bush, son of former President George H.W. Bush, endorsed Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
- Bush cited concerns over Republican Ken Paxton's conduct and loyalty to Donald Trump.
- Bush stated character matters more than party affiliation.
- Talarico is described as a principled, pragmatic leader who seeks common ground.
Neil Bush, a lifelong Republican and son of former President George H.W. Bush, announced on Tuesday that he crossed party lines to vote for James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Texas. In a Facebook post, Bush stated he was "deeply troubled" by the conduct of the Republican candidate, Ken Paxton, the current Texas attorney general, and was "enormously impressed" by Talarico's principles.
Bush, 71, expressed concern over Paxton's challenges to the 2020 presidential election results and his 2023 impeachment trial. He emphasized that while he still believes in many traditional Republican principles, "character matters more than party affiliation." He described Talarico as a "principled, pragmatic leader" who respects institutions and seeks to unite people.