George W. Bush Family Royalty Backs Democratic Talarico in Battle to Flip Texas Blue/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush, contributed $2,500 to a political action committee supporting Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico. The donation appeared in federal campaign finance filings as Talarico faces Republican Ken Paxton in a race with implications for Senate control. The contribution highlights support from a prominent Republican family member but does not establish an endorsement by her father.
Quick Look
- Donation disclosed: Barbara Bush gave $2,500 to Lone Star Rising PAC, according to filings reviewed by Fox News Digital.
- Outside spending: The PAC accounts for nearly all outside spending supporting Talarico, according to Houston Public Media.
- Public contribution: A campaign finance expert noted that the donation was made through a publicly reporting PAC.
- Other donors: Eagles musician Don Henley contributed $150,000 to the group.
- Bush’s background: She is an NBA executive and co-founder of Global Health Corps.
- Campaign finance debate: Talarico criticizes wealthy donors’ influence but says he will not abandon outside spending while Republicans use it.
Deep Look
Barbara Bush Gives to PAC Supporting Talarico
Barbara Bush, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, donated $2,500 to Lone Star Rising PAC‘, a group supporting Democrat James Talarico’s campaign for the U.S. Senate in Texas.
Fox News Digital reported confirming the contribution through Federal Election Commission filings for the quarter.
Talarico faces Republican Ken Paxton in a contest that could help determine control of the Senate.
According to Houston Public Media, Lone Star Rising PAC accounts for almost all outside spending supporting Talarico.
The contribution reflects Barbara Bush’s financial support for the group. The report did not announce an endorsement of Talarico by former President Bush.
Public Filing Makes Donation Notable
Although Bush’s contribution was smaller than those from some prominent donors, a Texas campaign finance expert said the public disclosure was significant.
“She didn’t give it to a 501(c)(4), in which her contribution would’ve been completely anonymous. She gave it to a PAC that reports all the money in and out,” Andrew Cates told Houston Public Media.
Other donors to Lone Star Rising include Eagles musician Don Henley, who contributed $150,000, according to The Texas Tribune.
Contribution Comes Against Backdrop of Bush-Trump Tensions
The donation draws attention partly because of the Bush family’s prominent place in Republican politics.
Former President George W. Bush’s relationship with President Donald Trump has been strained since the 2016 campaign, when Trump mocked Bush’s mother and brother.
Barbara Bush is the twin sister of NBC host Jenna Bush Hager and shares her name with her late grandmother, former first lady Barbara Bush.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center did not respond to a request for comment directed to the former president and his daughter.
Fox News Digital also contacted the Washington Speakers Bureau, which represents Barbara Bush.
Barbara Bush Works in Social Impact and Global Health
Bush, 44, serves as the National Basketball Association’s vice president of social impact and inclusion.
According to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, her international work uses the “convening power of basketball” to support humanitarian initiatives involving social justice, “health equity” and sustainability.
She also co-founded Global Health Corps, which focuses on developing young leaders working on global health challenges.
Bush and Hager have co-authored several children’s books.
Talarico Balances Campaign Finance Criticism With Outside Support
Talarico has criticized the influence of corporations and wealthy donors in elections.
He has accused Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Paxton of “want[ing] corporations and billionaires to decide our elections, not Texans.”
At the same time, Talarico has defended competing under the existing campaign finance system.
According to The Texas Tribunehe said he would not “unilaterally disarm” while Republicans continued using political action committees.
Fox News Digital sought comment from Talarico’s campaign about Bush’s donation.
More on US News