(The Center Square) – As the Republican Party held its first midterm convention in Dallas, some Republicans in north Texas and elsewhere in the state announced their endorsement for Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, state Rep. James Talarico.
Talarico is statistically tied with Attorney General Ken Paxton in a race that was previously considered a Republican shoe-in. Now it’s considered a toss-up, The Center Square reported.
Republicans who’ve crossed party lines to support Talarico’s campaign include current and former statewide officials, legislators and local leaders from across the state.
“I’m proud to welcome Republicans into this campaign to take power back for working people because the real fight in this country is not left versus right, it’s top versus bottom,” Talarico said. “My message to Texans across the political spectrum is clear: you have a place in this movement.”
Bryan Mayor Pro Tem James Edge, a former Texas GOP convention delegate, was among roughly 20 founding members of Republicans for Talarico. He endorsed Talarico saying, “As a Republican, I believe in faith, family, the rule of law, and holding public officials accountable when they betray the public trust. I will support plenty of Republicans this November, but I cannot vote for Ken Paxton. James Talarico has demonstrated that he is willing to listen, work across party lines, and put Texas and our country first. As a lifelong conservative Republican, I’m proud to support him this November.”
Former state Rep. Susan Lewis King from Abilene, also a former GOP convention delegate, endorsed Talarico. “After serving with Mr. Paxton for three of my five terms in the Texas House, I did not witness a bipartisan effort to effect change,” she said. “Although I did not serve with James Talarico, I am impressed by his maturity, knowledge, and confident manner. He is a native Texan and champion for all people. I believe his victory at this critical time is imperative for Texas and our country.”
Former Dallas Mayor and U.S. Rep. Steve Bartlett also endorsed Talarico, stating he did so while still upholding Republican values.
“I am a proud Republican, and supporting James Talarico doesn’t change that,” he said. “Endorsing his campaign isn’t about abandoning our party. It’s about recognizing a leader whose values reflect my own — and who will get things done for our state and our country. James reaches across the aisle, he listens, he’s honest, and he puts Texans ahead of politics — that counts for something in 2026. That’s exactly the kind of leadership I’ve always believed in, no matter which party it comes from.”
Former state Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock from Killeen said that while he has differences with Talarico, he believes “he is honest and hard-working.” He also said, “I have watched Ken Paxton embarrass our beloved Texas long enough” and urged other Republicans “to join myself and many other Republicans as we vote for James Talarico.”
Other Republicans for Talarico include Mayor Pro Tem of Duncanville Dorothy Burton, former Georgetown mayor Dale Ross, former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley, former GOP convention delegate Ryan Davenport, former Dallas City councilwoman Donna Halstead and former Dallas City councilman Jim Richards.
Several retired justices have also endorsed Talarico, including two retired Texas Supreme Court justices, Deborah Hankinson and Tom Phillips, as well as retired U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Texas Kimberly Priest Johnson.
Others include former state Reps. Bennett Ratliff and Todd Smith; former U.S. Reps. Alan Steelman and Adam Kinzinger from Illinois now living in Texas; Shane Phelps, the Deputy Attorney General under then AG John Cornyn; Andrew Sansom, a former assistant to the Interior Secretary and former GOP convention delegate; and Lionel Sosa, a former campaign advisor to presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
The launch of Republicans for Talarico comes after Paxton’s former Director of Law Enforcement and longtime Texas Ranger David Maxwell and Paxton’s longtime defense attorney Dan Cogdell endorsed Talarico, The Center Square reported. Talarico’s campaign also hired Cornyn’s former legislative director, Jacob Smith, as its Deputy Policy Director.
Paxton’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment about his former attorney, staff or Republicans endorsing Talarico.
Paxton is the only attorney general to be impeached in Texas history after 60 House Republicans joined Democrats to impeach him three years ago. He was acquitted along party lines.
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