After years of defending Ken Paxton, Houston attorney Dan Cogdell is now backing his opponent in the Texas Senate race. Cogdell, who began representing Paxton following a 2015 securities fraud indictment, supported him for nearly a decade. This included his work during the impeachment trial and the long-running securities fraud case.
Cogdell announced his support for James Talarico, a Democratic candidate, on his Cogdell Law Uncensored podcast on June 8. Speaking directly, he stated, “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 believes Talarico values “unity over division” and is capable of bringing together people from various political affiliations, an argument Talarico emphasizes in his campaign.
Why Cogdell’s Endorsement Matters
Cogdell’s endorsement is significant due to his longstanding role in Paxton’s legal defense. He played a key role during critical phases of Paxton’s career, helping him navigate several controversies.
Talarico now has the opportunity to spotlight support from someone closely connected to Paxton. The Democrat presents his campaign as a referendum on leadership and governance in Texas, rather than a mere partisan contest.
The endorsement follows a divisive GOP primary, which pitted traditional Republicans against staunch supporters of Paxton.
Texas Senate Race Breakdown
The race between Talarico and Paxton is one of the country’s most watched Senate contests. Talarico, elected as a state representative in 2018, focuses on coalition-building and practical policies.
During his podcast with Cogdell, Talarico remarked on the interest from various voter segments, noting that some non-Democrats had quietly shown interest in his campaign.
Paxton secured the Republican nomination after defeating Senator John Cornyn, partly backed by an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Cogdell stated his professional relationship with Paxton concluded at the courthouse, expressing his broader responsibility as a citizen now guides his political decisions.
Poll Insights
A poll by Texas Public Opinion Research reveals Talarico leads Paxton by 57 points among moderates and 43 points among independents. Only 44 percent of voters who supported Cornyn plan to vote for Paxton, while 30 percent intend to choose Talarico. The survey, conducted with 1,670 likely voters from May 27 to May 28, holds a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.
Challenges Ahead
Democrats face significant obstacles in Texas—the state has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Competing in statewide races has been difficult for them, making Talarico’s coalition-building efforts crucial.
The general election phase intensifies as November approaches. Campaigns will likely increase outreach through rallies, town halls, and media engagements, with endorsements and coalition efforts playing pivotal roles in shaping the race.
Leave a Reply