Barbara Bush backs Democrat Talarico against Republican Paxton in Texas

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 03:32 · Archive

Former first daughter Barbara Bush has donated to a Democratic candidate's Texas Senate campaign.

Barbara Bush, the 44-year-old daughter of former President George W. Bush and an executive at the National Basketball Association, donated $2,500 to Lone Star Rising PAC, the main outside group supporting Democrat James Talarico's campaign for the Texas Senate seat. According to FEC filings confirmed by Fox News, Bush made the contribution using her real name in public records rather than attempting to conceal her identity through an anonymous donation vehicle.

The donation came as Talarico faced well-funded Republican opposition. Billionaire Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, in September, with money subsequently flowing to groups supporting Talarico's opponent, GOP nominee Ken Paxton. Musk also sent $10 million directly to Lone Star Liberty PAC, another group backing Paxton.

Talarico responded publicly to Musk's criticism, writing on X that there is 'something deeply wrong with a political system that allows one trillionaire to buy his own personal U.S. Senator'. During a campaign speech at the University of Houston, Talarico said Musk was behind attack advertisements and mailings against him. Talarico's campaign reported raising $64 million in the third quarter.

How it is being reported

• James Talarico fires back at Elon Musk in Texas Senate race feudMusk in September donated $158 million to a Republican Super PAC, which sent that cash to a PAC backing GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton, Talarico's opponent.CNBC · 22 Oct, 02:21
• Bush family royalty backs Democrat in battle to flip Texas blueBarbara Bush donated $2,500 to a PAC supporting James Talarico's Texas Senate race against Ken Paxton, using her real name in public FEC filings.Fox News · 20 Oct, 14:36

In this story: Barbara Bush · James Talarico · Ken Paxton · Elon Musk · George W. Bush · Texas

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