Texas Defense Lawyer Switches Sides, Endorses Democrat James Talarico for U.S. Senate

Houston-based trial attorney Dan Cogdell, who helped lead Attorney General Ken Paxton’s defense during the 2023 impeachment trial and a long-running securities-fraud case, announced his endorsement of Democrat State Rep. James Talarico in the 2026 Texas U.S. Senate race.

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• Paxton’s impeachment: In 2023 the Texas House impeached Paxton on bribery and related charges; the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him.

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• Securities-fraud case: Paxton hired Cogdell in 2015 after an indictment; the case was dropped in 2024 after Paxton completed ethics courses and paid restitution.

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• 2025 primary runoff: Paxton defeated 24-year incumbent Sen. John Cornyn after a bruising primary that spent roughly $130 million, primarily to boost Cornyn and attack Paxton. The contest split the GOP, with party leaders backing Cornyn and former President Donald Trump endorsing Paxton.

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• Dan Cogdell – Defense lawyer, donor to both campaigns.

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• Ken Paxton – Attorney General, incumbent Senate candidate.

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• James Talarico – Democratic challenger seeking a broad coalition.

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• John Cornyn – Former senator, defeated in the runoff.

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• Rep. Mitch Little (R-Lewisville) – Former Paxton defense team member, called Cogdell a Democrat.

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• National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) – Ran ads labeling Cogdell a “Trump-hating Democrat.”

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• 2015 – Paxton hires Cogdell after securities-fraud indictment.

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• 2023 – Paxton’s impeachment trial; Cogdell serves on defense team.

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• 2024 – Fraud charges dropped; Cogdell donates $6,500 to Paxton’s Senate campaign.

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• 2025 (June) – Paxton wins primary runoff over Cornyn after $130 million spending.

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• 2026 (March) – Cogdell contributes $1,000 to Talarico’s campaign.

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• 2026 (June 8) – Cogdell publicly endorses Talarico via podcast and statement.

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• Cogdell’s donations: $6,500 to Paxton (2025) and $1,000 to Talarico (2026).

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• Primary runoff expenditures: about $130 million, largely to support Cornyn and criticize Paxton.

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• Talarico’s campaign and Democratic allies estimate defending the seat may require over $100 million.

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Cogdell said Paxton “has lost sight of his core mission, which is to represent the people of Texas” and that Talarico “believes in unity over division.” Talarico thanked Cogdell, noting “if you voted for John Cornyn, you have a place in this campaign.” A Paxton aide dismissed the endorsement as predictable, pointing out Cogdell’s Democratic primary vote in 2024. The NRSC’s now-deleted ad attacked Paxton for his ties to Cogdell, citing the lawyer’s anti-Trump remarks and representation of the East Plano Islamic Center.

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Rep. Mitch Little called Cogdell “a Democrat…who doesn’t vote very much,” while the NRSC ad labeled him a “Trump-hating Democrat.” Anti-Islam rhetoric has also surfaced, with GOP members targeting Cogdell’s client, the East Plano Islamic Center.

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Sources differ on Cogdell’s partisan identity: the Paxton campaign frames him as a Democrat, yet his donation record shows contributions to both parties. Polling indicates a narrow Democratic lead, but exact margins are not disclosed.

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• “has lost sight of his core mission, which is to represent the people of Texas.” — Dan Cogdell, Houston defense attorney

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• “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,” — Dan Cogdell

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• “Republicans have had control of Texas for 30 years. Enough is enough. We are last in the country in healthcare, bottom for education, 1st in school shootings, 1st in most uninsured,” — Dan Cogdell

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• “We are building a people-powered movement that welcomes Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike.” — James Talarico, State Representative

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• “Dan is a Democrat and voted in the Democratic primary in 2024,” — Paxton campaign aide

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Cogdell’s shift highlights fractures within the Texas GOP and underscores Talarico’s strategy to court moderate Republicans. If the race remains close, the endorsement could sway independent and crossover voters, potentially altering the long-standing Republican hold on Texas’s Senate seat.

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The November election will test whether Talarico’s coalition can overcome Paxton’s grassroots base. Both campaigns continue fundraising, and additional endorsements are expected as the contest tightens.

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