Full Breakdown
Former Texas Ranger Endorses Democrat James Talarico Over Attorney General Ken Paxton
9/9/2026, 4:35:21 PM
Endorsement Highlights
David Maxwell, a former Texas Ranger and longtime director of law-enforcement for Attorney General Ken Paxton, announced his endorsement of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. Maxwell’s statement frames Paxton as a “crook who serves himself” and positions Talarico as the candidate who will serve Texans.
Background of the Whistleblower Conflict
Maxwell spent nearly five decades in Texas law-enforcement, including service as a Texas Ranger and as director of the AG’s law-enforcement division for almost ten years. In 2020, he and other senior officials reported Paxton to the FBI, alleging that Paxton had improperly used his office to benefit political donor and real-estate developer Nate Paul. After the report, Paxton terminated Maxwell and the other whistleblowers. The former officials sued under the Texas Whistleblower Act; a judge later ordered the state to pay $6.6 million in damages. Paxton did not appeal the judgment, and investigations into his relationship with Paul were closed without further action.
Legal Outcomes and Senate Race Context
Paxton faced impeachment in 2023, during which Maxwell testified that Paxton had pressured him to pursue investigations that would benefit Paul. The Republican-controlled Texas Senate acquitted Paxton. The whistleblower episode has become a central theme of Talarico’s Senate campaign, which seeks to become the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat in more than three decades. The campaign’s ad emphasizes Maxwell’s career and his claim that Paxton ended his public-service career for blowing the whistle.
Official Statements & Responses
Maxwell’s campaign statement says, “Ken Paxton ended my five-decade career in public service because I blew the whistle on his corruption.” Talarico’s advertisement repeats this narrative, portraying Paxton as a corrupt official and positioning Talarico as the “good guy” alternative. Paxton has not publicly responded to the endorsement in the sources provided.
Verbatim Quote
- “Ken Paxton ended my five-decade career in public service because I blew the whistle on his corruption,” — David Maxwell
