The man who once fought to keep Ken Paxton in office now says James Talarico is better suited to unite Texans across party lines

Texas – Texas’ closely watched Senate race took another unexpected turn this week when one of Ken Paxton’s former allies publicly broke with the Republican nominee and threw his support behind Democrat James Talarico.

The endorsement carries unusual weight because it comes from defense attorney Dan Cogdell, the lawyer who helped defend Paxton during the attorney general’s historic impeachment battle. For years, Cogdell stood firmly in Paxton’s corner, represented him during one of the most difficult periods of his political career, and even donated thousands of dollars to his campaign.

Now, however, he says the candidate he once defended is no longer the best choice for Texas.

The move arrives at a time when the race between Paxton and Talarico is attracting national attention and growing speculation that Democrats may have their strongest opportunity in decades to compete for a statewide federal office in Texas.

A Remarkable Political Reversal

Cogdell’s endorsement surprised many political observers because of his long association with Paxton.

Just last year, he contributed $6,500 to Paxton’s campaign. Federal campaign records also show that he remained a supporter through much of the attorney general’s legal and political battles.

That makes his decision to endorse Talarico all the more striking.

Speaking about Paxton’s campaign, Cogdell argued that the Republican attorney general has moved away from what should be the central responsibility of public service. He said Paxton “has lost sight of his core mission, which is to represent the people of Texas.”

Cogdell went even further in explaining why he believes Talarico is the better choice. “And unlike Ken, I believe to my core that James Talarico believes in unity over division and that he knows how to assemble not only Democrats, but Independents and Republicans, and we need that right now,” Cogdell added.

The endorsement highlights one of the key themes emerging in the race. While Paxton continues to energize many conservative voters and enjoys strong support from President Donald Trump’s political base, Talarico has increasingly tried to present himself as a candidate capable of appealing beyond traditional Democratic circles.

From Impeachment Defender to Political Opponent

The relationship between Cogdell and Paxton goes back to the attorney general’s impeachment fight.

In 2023, the Republican-controlled Texas House voted to impeach Paxton over allegations that included bribery and abuse of office for personal financial benefit. The vote was historic, passing by a margin of 121-23 and creating one of the most dramatic political moments in modern Texas history.

Cogdell was part of the legal team that defended Paxton during the subsequent Senate trial. Ultimately, the Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16 articles of impeachment, allowing him to remain in office and eventually continue his political rise.

That victory appeared to strengthen Paxton’s standing among Republican voters, culminating in his recent primary runoff victory over longtime Senator John Cornyn.

Trump’s endorsement played a major role in that victory, helping Paxton defeat one of the most established Republicans in Texas politics.

But while Paxton emerged victorious from the primary, the general election battle may prove more complicated.

Democrats See a Rare Opportunity

Talarico is attempting something no Democrat has accomplished in nearly four decades: winning a Texas Senate seat.

The last Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas was Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. For years, Democrats have talked about turning Texas into a competitive statewide battleground. Most of those hopes ultimately fell short.

This time, however, some analysts believe the political environment may be different.

CNN data analyst Harry Enten recently pointed to polling numbers that suggest Talarico is performing better than previous Democratic Senate candidates.

“I was looking back at every single Texas Senate race that I could find, and at this point in the campaign, James Talarico is polling better than any Democrat in at least 24 years. You have to go all the way back to 2002 to find a Democrat even polling anywhere close to where Talarico is polling right now. Texas Democrats have dreamt about turning it blue. This time, the numbers actually support the idea that they may actually be able to do it,” Enten said.

That assessment has helped increase national attention on the race, which is already expected to become one of the most expensive contests of the 2026 election cycle.

A Battle of Competing Narratives

As the campaign intensifies, both candidates are trying to define each other before voters make their decision.

Paxton has targeted Talarico over past comments involving issues such as transgender rights and dietary choices, portraying the Democrat as too far left for Texas voters.

Talarico, meanwhile, has focused heavily on Paxton’s legal controversies, impeachment proceedings and years of political scandals. His campaign argues that the attorney general’s history makes him unfit to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

The result is a race built around two very different visions of the state’s future.

So far, polling has remained extremely competitive, with surveys showing only narrow differences between the candidates and momentum shifting back and forth.

Whether Cogdell’s endorsement changes the trajectory of the race remains uncertain. What is clear is that when the lawyer who once helped save Paxton’s political career now publicly backs his opponent, it adds another layer of intrigue to a Senate battle that is rapidly becoming one of the most closely watched races in the country.