Ken Paxton Defense Lawyer Backs Democrat James Talarico for Senate

Dan Cogdell, a Houston attorney who was part of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's defense team during his indictment on security fraud charges and his 2023 impeachment by the state House, endorsed James Talarico in a video posted online. "I think Ken has lost sight of his core mission, which is to represent the people of Texas. And unlike Ken, I believe to my core that James Talarico believes in unity over division and that he knows how to assemble not only Democrats but Independents and Republicans, and we need that right now," Cogdell said. Paxton was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate and later pleaded no contest to state charges. He did not admit guilt but agreed to pay restitution to his accusers and to perform community service. Republican state Rep. Mitch Little of Frisco, another member of Paxton's legal team, shrugged off Cogdell's endorsement, writing on X, "I love Dan, but he is a Democrat, and he doesn't vote very much. This impeachment defense lawyer is 100% behind Ken Paxton. I've personally served alongside Representative Talarico, and _ when he's working _ he's doing really radical, leftist things."