Neil Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush, announced Tuesday that he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, delivering sharp criticism of Republican nominee Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump.
In a Facebook post, Bush said he cast his ballot early for Talarico, even though he has been a Republican for most of his life.
“I voted early today, and I voted for James Talarico for the United States Senate,” Bush wrote, adding that character “matters more than party affiliation.”
Bush pointed to Paxton’s record as Texas Attorney General, singling out his push to challenge the 2020 presidential election results in other states.
“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,” Bush wrote. “I believe that effort was an affront to our democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power.”
He also noted that Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House before the Texas Senate acquitted him.
In December 2020, Paxton filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court seeking to throw out election results in four battleground states won by former President Joe Biden. The court rejected the challenge.
Bush then turned his fire on Trump.
“More broadly, I believe Donald Trump and those who have enabled him have done enormous damage to the Republican Party,” he wrote. “I worry about a political culture in which loyalty to an individual takes precedence over loyalty to principle, and where those who hold power begin to believe they are no longer accountable.”
Bush said his decision went beyond opposing Paxton. He praised Talarico, a state lawmaker he said he has never met, for the way he approaches divisive issues.
“He speaks with respect, seeks common ground, and seems genuinely interested in bringing people together rather than driving them apart,” Bush wrote. “His faith appears to be a deeply rooted source of humility, compassion, and conviction rather than a political weapon.”
He went on to describe Talarico as someone with integrity, civility, humility and a willingness to listen to those who disagree with him, calling him “a principled, pragmatic leader” who sees public office as a responsibility rather than an entitlement.
Bush closed his lengthy post by stressing that he still holds many traditional Republican beliefs.
“Our democracy depends on leaders who respect our institutions, tell the truth, accept accountability, and seek to unite rather than divide,” he wrote. “Today, I voted against a style of politics that I believe has damaged our country. More importantly, I voted for the kind of character and leadership I hope will help heal it.”
Bush is not the only member of the famous political family to line up behind the Democrat. George W. Bush’s daughter, Barbara Bush, gave $2,500 in September to Lone Star Rising PAC, the main outside group backing Talarico, according to federal campaign finance records.
The Bush family’s support comes as Talarico and Paxton face off in an unusually tight race in the Lone Star State. A University of Texas poll released last week showed Talarico leading Paxton 50% to 47%.
[READ MORE: Feds Turn to DNA Evidence in Immigration Fraud Probe of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sources Say]
