George W. Bush’s Daughter Barbara Donates to Democrat James Talarico in Heated Texas Senate Race

Former President George W. Bush‘s daughter Barbara Bush has thrown her financial support behind a Democrat in Texas’ closely watched Senate race, breaking with her family’s longstanding Republican ties.

Barbara, 44, donated $2,500 to Lone Star Rising PAC, a political action committee supporting Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, according to federal campaign finance records.

The contribution was first reported by Houston Public Media on October 16 and confirmed by Fox News Digital on Tuesday, October 20.

Barbara, the twin sister of Today cohost Jenna Bush Hager, made the donation in September, with the payment appearing in the PAC’s third-quarter filing with the Federal Election Commission.

While the amount is relatively modest compared with other donations, the decision has attracted attention because of Barbara’s prominent Republican family background.

Texas campaign finance expert Andrew Cates told Houston Public Media that Barbara could have chosen to make a contribution through an organization that would not publicly disclose her identity.

“She didn’t give it to a 501(c)(4), in which her contribution would’ve been completely anonymous,” Cates said. “She gave it to a PAC that reports all the money in and out.”

Barbara’s contribution is not the largest received by the PAC. Eagles musician Don Henley has donated $150,000 to the group, according to Fox News.

The donation comes as Talarico faces Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the November 3 election, with Democrats hoping to flip a Senate seat in a state long dominated by Republicans.

Meanwhile, George, 80, attended a September fundraiser for Republican Sen. John Cornyn that excluded Paxton, according to ABC News. Paxton previously defeated Barbara’s cousin, George P. Bush, in the 2022 Republican primary for Texas attorney general.

Barbara currently serves as senior vice president of social impact and inclusion at the NBA and cofounded the nonprofit Global Health Corps, according to her official biography.