In a surprising twist to the high‑stakes Texas U.S. Senate race, David Maxwell – who spent decades with the Texas Department of Public Safety and served as Ken Paxton’s director of law‑enforcement until 2020 – appears in a new online advertisement endorsing Democratic challenger James Talarico. Maxwell, a lifelong Republican who says he has only occasionally voted for Democrats, says he was compelled to speak out after what he describes as Paxton’s abuse of power.
Maxwell’s whistleblower background
Maxwell and several other senior aides filed a whistleblower lawsuit after being dismissed in 2020, alleging that Paxton used his office to aid a campaign donor under federal investigation. A Texas judge later awarded Maxwell and three former aides a total of $6.6 million for the lawsuit. In the Talarico ad, Maxwell, wearing a dark suit and a white cowboy hat, declares, “Ken Paxton ended my five‑decade career in public service because I blew the whistle on his corruption.”
Paxton’s resilience and Trump support
Despite the accusations, Paxton has shown striking resilience. He easily defeated Sen. John Cornyn in a Republican primary runoff this year and previously bested former Governor George P. Bush in a 2022 attorney‑general race, even after Bush’s billboards called Paxton a “crook.” Paxton’s legal battles, including a securities‑fraud case that ended with a restitution payment of nearly $300,000 but no admission of guilt, have not dented his standing among Texas conservatives.
Adding to Paxton’s firepower, a super political‑action committee aligned with President Donald Trump recently disclosed a $10 million investment in advertising to support Paxton and counter Talarico. This marks the first general‑election spending by the Trump‑aligned PAC in the 2026 cycle, underscoring the administration’s commitment to defending a proven Republican leader in the Senate.
Talarico’s campaign focus
State Representative James Talarico has built his campaign around Paxton’s impeachment and other controversies, labeling Paxton “the most corrupt politician in Texas.” His earlier ads highlighted a story about Paxton allegedly taking a $1,000 Montblanc pen from a courthouse security tray, a tale that has become political folklore in the state.
Nevertheless, Talarico’s message resonates with a segment of voters seeking accountability. The new ad featuring Maxwell is part of an escalating ad war that has drawn national attention and significant financial backing on both sides.
Legal community’s view
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented Paxton during the impeachment trial, defended the attorney general on social media, stating, “All you naysayers who have written off Ken Paxton and are writing his epitaph clearly don’t know Ken Paxton.” Buzbee’s remarks reflect the broader sentiment among many Texas conservatives that the impeachment was a partisan “sham.”
What this means for Texas voters
As the Senate race intensifies, Texas voters will hear competing narratives: a seasoned law‑enforcement veteran warning of alleged corruption, and a Trump‑backed incumbent defending his record and promising continued strong leadership. The influx of $10 million in Trump‑aligned advertising signals that the national Republican establishment views Paxton’s seat as pivotal for maintaining a conservative majority in the Senate.
With the election still months away, both campaigns are expected to increase their outreach, leveraging local media, digital platforms, and high‑profile endorsements to sway undecided voters. Texans should watch for further developments, especially as additional funding and new ads are likely to appear in the coming weeks.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
