One of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's former staffers is backing his democratic challenger in the closely watched state's U.S. Senate race.
The attorney general's former director of law enforcement and former Texas Ranger, David Maxwell, endorsed state Rep. James Talarico over his former boss in a new political ad released on Sept. 8.
"Ken Paxton ended my five-decade career in public service because I blew the whistle on his corruption," David Maxwell said. "In Texas, no one is above the law — not even the Attorney General. Today, I'm endorsing James Talarico because Texans deserve a Senator who serves the people — not a crook who serves himself."
Maxwell, who spent five decades in law enforcement, was one of the whistleblowers who went to the FBI to report Paxton for allegedly taking bribes from convicted felon Nate Paul.
Later, Maxwell also testified against Paxton during the Texas House 2023 impeachment trial, where Paxton was impeached but later acquitted by the Senate on all charges.
"Those closest to Ken Paxton know he's unfit for office because he's not a public servant — he's a puppet who abuses his office to enrich himself and his donors at the expense of working Texans," Talarico said. "Texas Ranger David Maxwell is a decorated law enforcement official who served our state honorably for five decades. Together, we're building a campaign that will enforce the law and put an end to corruption in Texas."
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