Member of Bush family reveals he is ditching the GOP and voting Democrat in Texas

Member of Bush family reveals he is ditching the GOP and voting Democrat in Texas Neil Bush, whose father and brother have both served as Republican presidents, says that ‘character matters more than party affiliation’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Former President George W. Bush’s brother says he has broken ranks with the GOP to vote for the Democrats in Texas. Neil Bush revealed Tuesday he has already voted for Democrat James Talarico in the U.S. Senate race over GOP nominee and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. In a message uploaded to Facebook, Bush said he had been a Republican for most of his life but raised concerns about Paxton’s record, going on to declare that “character matters more than party affiliation.” “I have been deeply troubled by Paxton's conduct as Texas Attorney General, particularly his decision to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in other states in an effort to help Donald Trump remain in power,” Bush said. “I believe that effort was an affront to our democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power.” Bush continued by pointing out that Paxton was impeached as the state’s attorney general by the Texas House back in 2023. Paxton faced a slew of accusations at the time of the impeachment, including allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice, and retaliation against witnesses. He was later acquitted by the Texas Senate. Bush says that his reasons for breaking with the party with which his family has long been associated go beyond Paxton, though. “More broadly, I believe Donald Trump and those who have enabled him have done enormous damage to the Republican Party,” Bush blasted. “I worry about a political culture in which loyalty to an individual takes precedence over loyalty to principle, and where those who hold power begin to believe they are no longer accountable.” The Bush family is deeply tied to the Republican Party’s history in Texas, with the state having previously been a Democratic stronghold. George W. Bush’s victory in the 1994 gubernatorial election marked a sea change in the state’s political leanings. Despite their Republican roots, several other members of the family have been open about their dislike for Trump. In a 2017 book named The Last Republicans, George H.W. Bush confirmed he had voted for Former First Lady Hillary Clinton in the preceding election. “This guy doesn't know what it means to be president,” former president George W. Bush said of Trump in the same book. Trump has thrown his weight behind Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign, even appearing on stage beside the Texas attorney general on October 7 ahead of the opening of early voting on October 19. Meanwhile, the commander-in-chief relentlessly attacked Paxton’s opponent in the U.S. Senate race by taking swipes at Talarico’s supposed diet and nicknaming him “James ‘Talafreako.’” Bush, though, outlined in his statement a very different impression of Talarico and said that his vote was “much more than opposition to Ken Paxton.” “I've never met James Talarico, but I have been enormously impressed by the way he approaches complicated and controversial issues,” Bush wrote. “He speaks with respect, seeks common ground, and seems genuinely interested in bringing people together rather than driving them apart.” Despite casting his ballot for the Democratic Party, Bush says that he still holds Republican values. “Today, I voted against a style of politics that I believe has damaged our country. More importantly, I voted for the kind of character and leadership I hope will help heal it,” he said. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] THI ORGEH. INTSO