Two Bush family members back Democrat Talarico in Texas Senate race

Neil Bush, a younger brother of former President George W. Bush, said on Facebook that he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas US Senate election, Yonhap and the Korea Economic Daily reported, citing US media. The Korea Economic Daily, citing CBS, said Neil Bush voted early. Yonhap described the move as a Democratic endorsement from a family that has produced two Republican presidents. [ 2 , 3 ]

Neil Bush said he acted out of deep concern about the record of Republican candidate Ken Paxton and genuine respect for Talarico's character and principles. He said he believes Donald Trump and those around him have done great damage to the Republican Party, and that he is worried about a political culture in which loyalty to individuals outranks loyalty to principles. The Korea Economic Daily added that he said he had lived most of his life as a Republican and still believes in the party's traditional values. It also quoted him as saying his vote was more than opposition to Paxton, and that although he had never met Talarico, he was impressed by how Talarico approaches complex and controversial issues. [ 2 , 3 ]

Yonhap said Paxton is the candidate Trump chose over incumbent Senator John Cornyn, and that allegations of misappropriating public funds have been raised against him. The Korea Economic Daily said Paxton won the party primary over Cornyn and was indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015. It said Neil Bush also criticised Paxton for challenging the 2020 presidential election results in other states. [ 2 , 3 ]

Chosun Ilbo reported that Barbara Bush, daughter of George W. Bush, gave $2,500 to Lone Star Rising, a political action committee supporting Talarico, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The paper said US media read her use of her real name as de facto support. Yonhap said she gave last month, and that she drew attention by donating publicly although anonymous giving was possible. [ 1 , 2 ]

Chosun Ilbo said Texas leans Republican but the parties are within the margin of error because of controversies around Paxton, and that a Republican loss in Texas would leave the party's Senate majority uncertain. Yonhap said polls show Talarico narrowly ahead, and that a Talarico win would be the first Democratic Senate victory in Texas since 1988. The US midterm elections are on November 3, and early voting in Texas has run since the 19th, according to the Korea Economic Daily. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

Yonhap said George W. Bush's 1994 election as governor consolidated Republican support in Texas, which had been Democratic-leaning, and that Texas has since chosen Republican candidates in every presidential and Senate election. Chosun Ilbo said that, unlike former President Barack Obama, who is campaigning for Democrats ahead of the midterms, Barbara Bush has kept her distance from active politics. [ 1 , 2 ]