A former defence attorney who spent years representing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in legal battles has openly endorsed Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico, marking an unexpected shift in one of the most closely watched political races in the United States.
Houston-based lawyer Dan Cogdell, who was part of Paxton’s legal team during his 2023 impeachment proceedings, has now thrown his weight behind Talarico despite previously defending the Republican official in court.
Talarico’s campaign publicised the endorsement on Monday, describing it as a notable development in the race as he seeks to challenge Republican dominance in Texas politics.
Cogdell said he still holds no personal grievance against Paxton and supported the outcome of his impeachment trial, which ended in acquittal. However, he argued that Paxton’s current political direction is too closely tied to former President Donald Trump and national Republican priorities.
He explained that his professional responsibility to Paxton ended once the court cases concluded, stressing that his current political judgment is based on what he believes is best for governance and public service.
The attorney criticised what he described as excessive political loyalty in Washington, saying Texas needs stronger attention on issues such as healthcare and education rather than partisan politics.
Cogdell also revealed he recently had an in-depth conversation with Talarico on his podcast before making the endorsement public.
Reacting to the development, Paxton’s campaign dismissed the endorsement, noting that Cogdell is aligned with Democrats and suggesting the decision was not surprising.
Other members of Paxton’s former defence team have, however, maintained their support for him, highlighting a split among his past legal allies.
The development adds new attention to Talarico’s campaign as Democrats attempt to gain ground in a key Texas Senate race ahead of the next election cycle.
