Former Texas Congressman Calls GOP a Cult Amid Heated Senate Race

He said the party has grown “darker and darker” since 2016 and that Donald Trump is “a gift … to us,” meaning his supporters benefit Democrats.

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Steelman’s remarks come as a group of roughly 25 former Texas Republicans, including ex-congressmen Steve Bartlett and Adam Kinzinger, have endorsed Democrat James Talarico in his bid for the Texas Senate seat held by Republican Ken Paxton. The endorsements are framed as a response to what they view as the party’s departure from the principles of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower. Neil Bush, brother of former President George W.

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• ActiVote surveyed 400 likely voters fielded October 22-28 and found Talarico leading 52.1% to 47.9% (margin ± 4.9 points).

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• Texas Public Opinion Research surveyed 969 likely voters October 15-18 and reported Talarico ahead 51% to 47% (margin ± 3.9 points).

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• The University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs polled 2,000 likely voters October 10-14, showing Talarico at 48% and Paxton at 46% (margin ± 2.9 points), with Libertarian Ted Brown at 3%.

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These polls indicate a narrow but consistent lead for Talarico as the race approaches its November ballot.

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Tom Phillips, in an opinion piece, warned that Paxton’s reputation could damage Texas’s standing and expressed confidence that Talarico would serve “with dignity and honor.” Neil Bush’s endorsement highlighted personal character over partisan loyalty, reinforcing the narrative that some Republicans view the current GOP direction as untenable.

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• “This grand old party [is] no longer grand, just old,” — Republican Congressman Alan Steelman

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• “I've resisted for a long time using the word cult. But we're no longer a party, really. This is a cult organized around one man.” — Republican Congressman Alan Steelman

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• “Some of his supporters even refer to him as a gift of God, and I agree with that,” — Republican Congressman Alan Steelman

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