Dan Cogdell, a former lawyer for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has endorsed Democratic candidate James Talarico for the Texas Senate seat [1].
The endorsement represents a significant break from a high-profile legal defender who spent years representing the state's top legal officer. Because Cogdell possesses intimate knowledge of Paxton's legal battles, his public shift in support could influence voter perception regarding the Attorney General's fitness for office.
During an interview on MSNBC with anchor Ana Cabrera in June 2024, Cogdell announced his support for Talarico [1]. He said that he believes Talarico is the best person for the job [1].
Cogdell said he no longer supports Paxton after years of defending him [1, 2]. He said that Talarico is better suited to serve the interests of Texas [1, 2].
"I believe the best person is James Talarico," Cogdell said [1].
The move comes amid ongoing political tension surrounding the Texas Senate race. Cogdell's transition from a legal defender of the Republican establishment to a supporter of a Democratic challenger highlights a growing divide within the state's legal and political circles.
“"I believe the best person is James Talarico."”
This endorsement is an unconventional development in the Texas Senate race, as it involves a former legal insider abandoning a long-term client for a political opponent. It suggests a breakdown in the professional and political alliance between Cogdell and Paxton, potentially providing the Talarico campaign with a narrative of credibility backed by someone who knows the internal workings of the Attorney General's office.
