James Talarico rolled out a shiny new coalition this week: more than 20 current and former “Republican leaders” backing his Senate bid against Ken Paxton. The Democrat framed it as proof Texans are putting party aside to fight for working people.
Conservatives took one look at the names and saw something more familiar.
And then everyone pointed and laughed at Talarico.
Again.
BREAKING: 20+ Republican leaders just endorsed our campaign for US Senate.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) September 10, 2026
We’re bringing Texans together onto one team to take power back for working people.
Because the real fight in this country isn't left versus right — it's top versus bottom. pic.twitter.com/1tI3hStJId
The list is heavy on yesterday’s GOP. Former Dallas Mayor Steve Bartlett, retired Texas Supreme Court justices, old Bush-era consultants, and former state lawmakers who left office years ago. Then there’s Adam Kinzinger, the Illinois Never Trumper who now lives in Texas and has spent years attacking the party he once belonged to. Bennett Ratliff lost his Texas House seat in 2014 and has since donated to and endorsed Democrats. Former Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley already backed Kamala Harris and Colin Allred. David Maxwell, once Paxton’s law-enforcement director, became a whistleblower in the attorney general’s impeachment fight and is now starring in Talarico ads.
In other words, these are not precinct chairs from Midland or young MAGA activists from the Houston suburbs. They are the same slice of institutional, pre-Trump Republicanism that has spent a decade drifting left or sitting out. Several already vote in Democratic primaries or write checks to Democrats. City council seats listed as “Republican” are often nonpartisan.
Recommended
Are they “trans activists”? https://t.co/FvLE5hvRFv
— FoiaFan (@15poundstogo) September 10, 2026
It's a fair question.
If so, they are NOT Republicans - they are RINOs and you can have them! pic.twitter.com/GoRrxFgrvO
— Deport, Deport, Deport! 🇺🇸🟦 (@etn_patriot) September 10, 2026
That's also fair.
— AmericanKat🇺🇸 🟥🟥🟥 (@4AmericanKat) September 10, 2026
This is the second act of the same play. Last month MS NOW featured “Republican moms” crossing over for Talarico; donation records and primary history showed long-running ties to ActBlue, the Lincoln Project, and Democrat candidates. The RNC called the whole effort a “White Dudes for Kamala” sequel.
Talarico needs crossover votes in a state that hasn’t sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. Paxton has Trump, MAGA Inc. money, and the current Texas GOP. Unveiling a roster of former officials and professional Never Trumpers may look impressive in a press release. It does not look like a mass defection of the voters who actually decide Texas elections.
Not even a little bit.
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