The Bush family are determined to bring down Trump – even if it means turning Texas blue to achieve it: ‘It’s political civil war’
The Bush family has taken steps to oppose Ken Paxton’s bid for a US Senate seat in Texas, backing his Democratic rival James Talarico as Paxton challenges Republican incumbent John Cornyn. Their moves reflect a wider split within the state’s Republican politics, as former President George W Bush’s family objects to Paxton’s record and the influence of Donald Trump’s MAGA movement.
George W Bush hosted a fundraiser for six Republican Senate candidates, excluding Paxton; his daughter Barbara donated to Talarico, and his brother Neil publicly said he had voted for him. Neil cited concerns about Paxton and admiration for Talarico, saying character mattered more than party. The article traces the Bush family’s long influence in Texas, where George W Bush’s 1994 election as governor marked the start of the state’s shift towards Republican control.
In short
- The Bush family is backing James Talarico against Ken Paxton.
- Paxton is challenging Republican Senator John Cornyn.
- The dispute reflects a wider rift over Trump’s influence.
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The case for
The Bush family’s opposition to Paxton can be seen as a principled stand against a candidate whose record they consider troubling, and as an effort to put character and public trust ahead of party loyalty. Supporting Talarico may also reflect a belief that Texas Republicans should resist the MAGA movement and that a credible alternative is preferable to backing a Republican they regard as unfit.
The case against
Backing a Democratic candidate in order to defeat a Republican can be seen as undermining the party’s ability to choose its own nominee and advancing partisan goals through an outside intervention. Critics may argue that Paxton’s record should be judged by voters in the primary, and that the Bush family’s influence risks deepening divisions while weakening Republican representation in Texas.
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