Neil Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush, said this week that he voted for James Talarico, breaking with his family’s Republican political dynasty.
Bush, the fourth of former President George H. W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush’s six children, announced that he voted for the Democrat in a Facebook post on Tuesday, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision.
“I have never posted a political message on Facebook, not wanting to offend friends whose views may be very different than mine,” he wrote.
Bush said he voted for the candidate because he is deeply concerned about Ken Paxton’s record, and he has “genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico,” including integrity, civility, humility and a willingness to listen to those with whom he disagrees.
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Paxton, Talarico’s opponent, has served as Texas attorney general since 2015. In 2020, he challenged the results of the presidential election in an attempt to help President Donald Trump remain in power.
“I believe that effort was an affront to our democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power,” Bush wrote in his social media post.
Paxton was also impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House in 2023 for allegedly misusing his office to help a friend and donor who was under federal investigation. He was later acquitted by the Texas Senate.
Bush said he’s worried about a political culture that pledges loyalty to an individual and doesn’t hold people in power accountable for their actions.
“I believe Donald Trump and those who have enabled him have done enormous damage to the Republican Party,” Bush continued.
Bush did not state whether he’s permanently breaking with the Republican Party but said he voted “against a style of politics that I believe has damaged our country.”
He continued: “More importantly, I voted for the kind of character and leadership I hope will help heal it.”
Bush added that he continues to believe in many traditional Republican principles.
Bush is the second member of his family to support Talarico. Barbara Bush, the daughter of former president George W. Bush, donated $2,500 to a political action committee supporting Talarico, Texas Public Radio reported.
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