Bush family members back Democrat James Talarico in Texas Senate race

Two members of the Bush family, the Republican political dynasty that counts Texas as its political launchpad, have backed Democrat James Talarico in the hotly fought race for a Senate seat in the Lone Star State.

Barbara Bush, daughter of ex-President George W Bush, has reportedly donated to Talarico’s campaign, while her uncle, Neil Bush, says he backs the Democrat.

The Republican candidate, Ken Paxton, beat a primary challenge from Neil Bush’s nephew, so the endorsement may be cast by critics as political sour grapes.

But the Bushes could potentially influence some disaffected Republican voters when it comes to next month’s vote. No Democrat has won a Texas Senate seat since 1988.

Opinion polls show Paxton and Talarico neck and neck ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, which will decide which party controls Congress.

Neil Bush said he was opposing Paxton because of his efforts to help President Donald Trump deny his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden.