Several prominent Republicans have either endorsed Democratic candidates or said they will vote for Democrats in key 2026 races across Republican-leaning states, including Texas, Kansas, Georgia, Montana and Florida. These endorsements come as competitive Senate, House, and statewide contests enter their final stretch, giving Democrats high-profile backing from across the aisle. Cross-party endorsements are relatively uncommon in modern U.S. politics, particularly in states that have consistently favored Republican candidates.
The latest developments suggest concerns about specific GOP nominees are prompting some longtime Republicans to publicly break with their party in a handful of high-profile races. Former adviser to President George W. Bush and longtime Republican strategist Karl Rove said he plans to vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal in the Texas Railroad Commission race rather than Republican nominee Bo French.
Rove's decision followed controversy surrounding comments French made about South Asian students at the University of Texas that were condemned as racist. He reportedly described French as a "bigot" and said it would be the first time in more than three decades that he has voted for a Democrat statewide, The Texas Tribune reported. Newsweek reached out to French via email for comment on Wednesday.
The race is significant because the Railroad Commission oversees Texas' powerful oil and gas industry, making it one of the state's most influential regulatory bodies despite its relatively low profile. Former Republican Governor Bill Graves endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton over Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas, The Kansas City Star reported. Kansas has not elected a Democratic senator since the 1930s, making any cross-party support especially notable in a race where Democrats are attempting to compete in deeply Republican territory.
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico announced that more than 20 current and former Republican officials, officeholders and party figures have endorsed his campaign against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in Texas. Some of those names include: Jim Richards, former Dallas city councilman; Susan Lewis King, former Texas state representative for District 71; and Lionel Sosa, former campaign adviser to George W. Several supporters said their backing was driven less by ideology than by concerns about Paxton and a desire to support a candidate they believe can work across party lines.
Texas has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in decades, as Democrats seek to turn a traditionally safe Republican seat into a competitive contest. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff has also attracted support from at least one prominent Republican voice.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
