Willie Nelson has chosen a side in one of the hottest Senate races in America, and plenty of his conservative fans may not be thrilled. The 93-year-old country music legend endorsed Democrat James Talarico over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate contest.
Nelson delivered the endorsement in a short video, saying he had gotten to know Talarico and believed he would make a good senator.
“I’ve gotten to know James Talarico. He’s a good man, who will be a good senator for the state of Texas. Please vote and vote for James Talarico.”
The announcement may surprise country fans who associate Nelson with Texas independence and outlaw culture. Politically, though, his support for Talarico fits a long record of backing Democrats. Nelson has previously supported Beto O’Rourke, Colin Allred and Kamala Harris. Earlier this month, he also recorded endorsement videos for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa and lieutenant governor candidate Vikki Goodwin.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Talarico joined Nelson onstage at the singer’s annual Fourth of July Picnic in Austin. Nelson’s endorsement is also being used to launch “Rural Texans for Talarico,” a campaign effort aimed at voters beyond the state’s largest cities.
That rural strategy is designed to chip away at the Republican margins that have traditionally helped decide statewide races. Democrats do not necessarily need to win every conservative county if they can reduce the Republican advantage in enough of them. The campaign is emphasizing rural health care, internet access and the expanding debate over data centers.
The Chicks have also promoted Talarico, while Eagles co-founder Don Henley has helped bankroll a super PAC supporting the Senate candidate. Democrats are betting that familiar Texas musicians can make their statewide ticket seem more culturally comfortable in communities where the Democratic label remains a serious hurdle.
Talarico’s campaign plan calls for more federal support for rural hospitals, broadband and water systems. It opposes school-voucher programs and several of President Trump’s trade policies. The plan also supports simplifying the H-2A agricultural visa process when employers say they cannot find enough American workers.
That gives Republicans plenty to challenge on trade, immigration and school choice. Talarico’s campaign, however, is presenting the agenda through small-town concerns, including keeping hospitals open, helping young families remain nearby and keeping family farms operating. Nelson’s endorsement gives that pitch a cultural megaphone most politicians could never purchase.
Paxton is trying to convert Republican enthusiasm into actual votes. At a recent rally, he urged supporters to download a campaign app, track whether their contacts had voted and keep reminding them until they did.
“I need you to download our app so you can put all of your contacts in and track your friends voting and you can remind them everyday: if you want me to stop harassing you, go vote Republican”
The Washington Examiner reported that Paxton warned donors about a large spending gap with Talarico as early voting approached. The Republican nominee also pointed to the lingering effects of a bruising primary and argued that his campaign needed more money to compete through Election Day. In a race now featuring a Texas music icon, a rural-focused Democratic message and an aggressive Republican turnout operation, both campaigns are making sure voters hear from them repeatedly.
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