Ken Paxton’s Former Lawyer Endorses His Democratic Opponent

Dan Cogdell, a prominent defense lawyer from Houston, has publicly shifted his allegiance in a significant political move. Known for his work defending Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against criminal charges and during the 2023 impeachment proceedings, Mr. Cogdell is now supporting James Talarico, Mr. Paxton’s adversary in the upcoming U.S. Senate race.

This change of heart comes from Mr. Cogdell’s belief that Mr. Paxton has deviated from his primary responsibility: representing the citizens of Texas. Cogdell voiced his endorsement for Mr. Talarico, emphasizing the latter’s focus on promoting unity among diverse political factions. He stated that at this critical juncture, such a unifying approach is vital.

Mr. Cogdell’s endorsement was announced during a podcast interview with Mr. Talarico. The recording took place shortly after Mr. Paxton triumphed in the Republican primary against Senator John Cornyn. This endorsement is meant to appeal to Republican supporters who favored Mr. Cornyn, suggesting they may find commonality within Mr. Talarico’s campaign.

In the podcast, Mr. Talarico emphasized his intent to avoid divisive politics, seeking instead to foster cooperation between different political groups.

Despite having previously contributed the legal maximum to Mr. Paxton’s Senate campaign, Mr. Cogdell has expressed concerns about Mr. Paxton’s growing alignment with President Trump. He detailed these views during an interview with The New York Times, highlighting his new political stance.