Neil Bush, George W. Bush's brother, says he voted for Democrat Talarico in Texas
In short
Neil Bush, a brother of former President George W. Bush, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he voted for Democrat James Talarico over Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. He said he was deeply troubled by Paxton's conduct as Texas attorney general, including his challenge to the 2020 presidential election results in other states.
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Neil Bush, a brother of former President George W. Bush, said he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race. He announced it in a Facebook post on Tuesday, according to Newsweek, CBS News, The Guardian US and The Hill. "I voted early today, and I voted for James Talarico for the United States Senate," Newsweek quoted him as writing. The New York Times summary said he expressed "deep concern about Ken Paxton's record". [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Bush wrote that he had 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." Newsweek quoted him as calling that effort "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 and later acquitted by the Texas Senate, but said his vote was "about much more" than opposing Paxton, according to Newsweek. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Bush wrote that he has been a Republican for most of his life and still believes deeply in many traditional Republican principles. "But character matters more than party affiliation," he wrote. "Our democracy depends on leaders who respect our institutions, tell the truth, accept accountability, and seek to unite rather than divide." CBS News reported that he also criticized President Trump and "those who have enabled him" for causing "enormous damage to the Republican Party." CBS quoted him as saying his vote was motivated by deep concern about Paxton's record and admiration for the character and principles he sees in Talarico. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsweek reported that Bush has never met Talarico but is impressed by how he approaches complicated and controversial issues. The Hill quoted him as writing that Talarico "speaks with respect, seeks common ground, and seems genuinely interested in bringing people together rather than driving them apart." The Hill described Talarico as a Texas state representative and Presbyterian seminarian who talks openly about his Christian faith on the campaign trail. Newsweek described him as a former teacher and state lawmaker. [ 1 , 4 ]
CBS News said Talarico is facing Paxton in one of the country's most closely contested Senate races, and that early voting started Monday. The Guardian said the announcement came two weeks before the midterms. Newsweek reported that most polls show Talarico narrowly ahead. CBS News also noted that most members of the Bush family have generally avoided criticizing the sitting president since George W. Bush left office in 2009. A Paxton campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to The Hill's request for comment, and Newsweek said it had contacted both campaigns. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The outlets present the vote as a notable break from the party by a member of a prominent Texas Republican family, in a Senate race CBS News describes as one of the most closely contested in the country. The documents do not say whether it will affect the result.
Key facts
- Neil Bush, a brother of former President George W. Bush, said he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Bush announced his vote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He wrote that he was deeply troubled by Ken Paxton's conduct as Texas Attorney General, particularly his decision to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in other states. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bush wrote that he has been a Republican for most of his life but that character matters more than party affiliation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Bush noted that Paxton was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House and later acquitted by the Texas Senate. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Early voting in Texas started on Monday, according to CBS News. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Neil Bush said he voted for Democrat James Talarico rather than Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Bush made the announcement in a Facebook post, and cited Paxton's decision to challenge the 2020 presidential election results in other states. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Paxton was impeached by the Texas House and acquitted by the Texas Senate. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Talarico leads Paxton in the polls. Only Newsweek says most polls show Talarico narrowly ahead; the other documents do not give polling.
- How the Paxton and Talarico campaigns responded. Newsweek contacted both campaigns and had no reply in its text; The Hill said a Paxton campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond.
- Bush's role as chair of his father's nonprofit Points of Light. Only Newsweek mentions it.