Neil Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush, announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, that he voted for Democrat James Talarico in the Texas U.S. Senate race. In a Facebook post, Bush stated that his decision was based on "deep concern" regarding the record of Republican nominee Ken Paxton and "genuine admiration" for Talarico’s character. The 71-year-old businessman and chair of the Points of Light nonprofit noted that he has been a Republican for most of his life but believes character should take precedence over party affiliation.
Bush specifically cited Paxton’s conduct as Texas Attorney General, including his 2020 legal challenge to presidential election results in other states, which Bush described as "an affront to our democratic institutions." He also referenced the 2023 impeachment of Paxton by the Republican-controlled Texas House on allegations of bribery and abuse of office. While the state Senate later acquitted Paxton, Bush wrote that the impeachment demonstrated his concerns were not unique. Additionally, Bush criticized President Donald Trump and those who have enabled him, stating they have caused "enormous damage to the Republican Party."
Talarico, a former teacher and state lawmaker, is currently in a race with Paxton for the seat previously held by Sen. John Cornyn, whom Paxton defeated in a primary earlier this year. According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports, other members of the Bush family have also shown support for Talarico; Barbara Pierce Bush, daughter of George W. Bush, donated $2,500 to the Lone Star Rising PAC, a group backing Talarico. Talarico has held a narrow lead in recent polling, including a CBS News poll.
The scale of this shift is reflected in polling and campaign finance. Talarico has held narrow leads in most recent surveys, seeking to become the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Texas since 1994. The Lone Star Rising PAC, which supports Talarico, has received funding from prominent donors including Reid Hoffman and Stephen Mandel. A single $2,500 donation from Barbara Bush represents a departure for a family that helped establish the Republican Party’s dominance in Texas over the last three decades.
A person living in Texas would notice the impact of this race in the form of campaigning, as both candidates seek to influence the state's electorate. If Talarico wins, it would end a 32-year Republican winning streak for statewide offices. The next major milestone is Election Day in November 2026. Early voting for this cycle began on Monday, October 19, 2026.