Former Texas state Representative Glenn Rogers has publicly endorsed Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, joining a growing list of Republicans opposing Attorney General Ken Paxton. The announcement comes via a new 30-second political advertisement released by Lone Star Rising PAC, which supports Talarico’s bid for the U.S. Senate.
Why It Matters
The Texas Senate race has become one of the most competitive statewide contests in the nation. Talarico is polling within the margin of error against Paxton, positioning himself to potentially become the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Texas in more than three decades. The entry of prominent Republican voices into Talarico’s coalition signals significant internal party fractures regarding Paxton’s candidacy.
What Happened
Lone Star Rising PAC launched the new ad featuring Rogers, a rancher and veterinarian from outside Fort Worth. The spot runs statewide across digital and streaming platforms as part of an eight-figure spending effort by the Democratic-aligned group for the general election. Despite outside Republican spending spiking to give Paxton a large advertising advantage, Talarico’s campaign has successfully recruited high-profile GOP defectors.
Rogers previously served in the Texas House before losing his 2024 primary seat to Mike Olcott. His endorsement carries weight because he voted to impeach Paxton in 2023. The Texas House passed the impeachment resolution in a bipartisan vote, accusing Paxton of abusing his office to assist a wealthy friend and donor. Although the Texas Senate acquitted Paxton months later—following pressure from President Donald Trump—Rogers maintains his opposition.
By The Numbers
- 2023: Year the Texas House impeached Ken Paxton.
- 30 seconds: Duration of the new Glenn Rogers endorsement ad.
- Eight figures: Total spending commitment by Lone Star Rising PAC for the general election.
- More than three decades: Time since a Democrat last won statewide office in Texas.
Zoom Out
The rift within the Texas Republican Party extends beyond Rogers. Talarico has launched a “Republicans for Talarico” coalition that includes Dan Cogdell, who served as Paxton’s lawyer during the impeachment trial, and David Maxwell, a former top Paxton staffer who testified against him. Paxton dismissed the impeachment proceedings as a political witch hunt, but the loss of support from his own legal team and former colleagues highlights deep divisions.
Paxton secured the Republican nomination by unseating incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the primary, bolstered by President Trump’s endorsement. However, the post-primary landscape has seen Paxton campaign alongside some House Republicans who supported his impeachment, suggesting a complex realignment of alliances. Rogers’ primary defeat came after Governor Greg Abbott targeted incumbents who opposed school vouchers, with both Abbott and Paxton endorsing Rogers’ challenger, Mike Olcott.
What’s Next
Tensions within the GOP coalition remain high. Paxton lawyer Tony Buzbee criticized David Maxwell on X after Maxwell endorsed Talarico, illustrating the personal nature of the conflict. As the general election approaches, Lone Star Rising PAC plans to continue its heavy spending to amplify messages from Republican defectors like Rogers.
Rogers stated clearly in the advertisement: “I’ll never trust Ken Paxton, I’ll never support Ken Paxton and the last place he should be is the United States Senate.” Talarico remains one of Democrats’ best fundraisers for the midterms, leveraging these endorsements to challenge Paxton’s hold on the seat.
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