Republicans Remain Divided Over Backing Ken Paxton

In the final days before the midterms, Republicans are still divided over whether to back Republican nominee Ken Paxton (R-TX).

The Texas Senate race has remained a tight contest since Paxton secured the Republican nomination in May. Along with close polling, Republican attacks on Democrat James Talarico (D-TX) have remained consistent.

Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) said in an interview with CNN that, although he and Paxton have had their differences, he has decided to support him

“But what we got right now is James Talarico who has talked about putting the welcome mat out for anyone who wants to come to the United States,” Rep. Roy said.

Roy continued to criticize Talarico over what he characterized as the “Biden Border Crisis,” referring to the Biden administration’s immigration and border enforcement policies.

But Talarico has actually said the exact opposite, calling Biden’s immigration policies “unacceptable.”

“I remember talking to my colleagues in the state legislature who represent border communities, and they were telling me about the utter chaos along our southern border during the Biden administration,” Talarico said during a CNN and Jubilee Town Hall event earlier this month.

Rep. Roy also pushed back on the idea that Talarico is a “moderate.”

These remarks come days after Neil Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush, said he voted for Talarico over Paxton.

"My vote was motivated by two things: deep concern about Ken Paxton's record and genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico," Bush wrote in a social media post.

Other Republicans, like Texas State Rep. Dade Phelan (R-TX), are choosing to skip the Senate vote on their ballot.

“I think there are a lot of Texans who feel like I feel, to skip that race,” he said. “That’s what happens when you nominate individuals who do not…share the values of a lot of Republican voters.”