In Texas Senate Race, a Notable Endorsement

An attorney who helped keep Ken Paxton in office doesn't want him to advance to an even bigger office. Dan Cogdell, a prominent Houston lawyer who led Paxton's successful impeachment and securities fraud defenses over nearly a decade, has endorsed Democrat James Talarico in Texas's closely watched Senate race, reports NOTUS. Cogdell, a fellow Republican who donated $6,500 to Paxton's campaign only last year, says his former client is more interested in serving President Trump than Texans.

"I defended Ken Paxton for years in the impeachment trial and in state criminal cases. But in my view, respectfully, I think Ken has lost sight of his core mission, which is to represent the people of Texas," Cogdell said in a statement, adding that their relationship ended "at the courthouse door," per the Hill. He insisted the move isn't a "betrayal" but a conclusion reached after meeting Talarico, whom he calls a unifier capable of drawing Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

Talarico welcomed the endorsement and pitched his campaign as a home for disillusined Republicans. Paxton's camp has not yet commented. Trump endorsed Paxton over incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn despite his political baggage, a move that didn't sit well with Republican senators.