Neil Bush, a lifelong Republican and son of former president George HW 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, the 71-year-old said he chose to vote early for Talarico over Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate and current Texas attorney general. He stated that he was deeply troubled by Paxton’s conduct and enormously impressed by Talarico’s principles.
As a moderate Republican, Neil Bush represents a faction of the party that often disagrees with Donald Trump while holding traditional conservative views. The announcement arrives just two weeks before the midterms, as both parties battle for the contested seat in Texas.
Neil Bush wrote that he was deeply troubled by Paxton’s conduct as Texas attorney general. He specifically pointed to Paxton’s decision to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in other states in an effort to help Donald Trump remain in power.
The brother of former president George W Bush also expressed concern about Paxton’s past controversies, including his 2023 Texas state legislature impeachment and acquittal, alongside his loyalty to Trump.
“I have been a Republican for most of my life, and I still believe deeply in many traditional Republican principles," Neil Bush wrote. "But character matters more than party affiliation. Our democracy depends on leaders who respect our institutions, tell the truth, accept accountability, and seek to unite rather than divide.”
Turning to his choice for the Senate, Neil Bush praised the Democratic contender’s demeanor. He said that Talarico speaks with respect, seeks common ground, and seems genuinely interested in bringing people together rather than driving them apart.
“His faith appears to be a deeply rooted source of humility, compassion, and conviction rather than a political weapon," Neil Bush wrote.
Talarico is a progressive liberal candidate who uses faith-based messaging. He is the Democratic party’s latest hopeful to attempt to flip the seat in the deep red state, where no Democrat has secured the Senate seat since the 1980s.
“Today, I voted against a style of politics that I believe has damaged our country," Neil Bush wrote. "More importantly, I voted for the kind of character and leadership I hope will help heal it.”
