Mayor Mattie Parker at the World Cup draw watch party last year in Fort Worth.
Christine Vo/Staff Photographer
FORT WORTH – Mayor Mattie Parker is breaking with her Republican Party to back Democrats in two statewide races. But in the marquee Senate race, she still can’t decide.
With Election Day approaching, Parker says she is torn between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.
“I disagree foundationally on several things about Ken Paxton, and I’m perplexed about several positions that James Talarico has taken,” Parker said last week in a joint interview with The Dallas Morning News and NBC 5. “I will ultimately vote in that election. I just haven’t voted yet and I don’t know yet.”
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Parker, a moderate Republican, shares the concerns of GOP voters wary of Paxton but not sold on Talarico. Where they land Nov. 3 could decide if the GOP keeps the seat or Texas elects its first Democratic U.S. senator since 1988.
Parker’s willingness to cross party lines extends beyond the Senate race. She is supporting Democrats for attorney general and Railroad Commission but favors Republican Tim O’Hare for Tarrant County judge, despite significant disagreements with him.
Fort Worth is the largest city in Tarrant County, long one of the nation’s largest GOP strongholds. But the county has become a political battleground, with Democrats narrowly carrying it in several high-profile elections.
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, rivals for the Senate.
Smiley N. Pool Steve Hamm/The Dallas Morning News
Both Paxton and Talarico campaigned last week in Fort Worth. Parker said she’ll vote for the candidate who best reflects her values and serves Tarrant County.
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“It’s obvious that Representative Talarico has a tremendous voter base and enthusiasm is on his side,” Parker said. “I would say that Attorney General Paxton has had a different campaign strategy, and is maybe trying to navigate a split Republican Party.”
She said “integrity matters” and was contemplating “what leadership looks like” with both candidates. Parker said she is also concerned about Talarico’s legislative record and past positions, though she did not elaborate.
GOP family feud
Many moderates believe Sen. John Cornyn would have been a stronger opponent for Talarico. But Paxton defeated Cornyn in a bitter primary fight that exposed deep divisions between Trump-aligned conservatives and more traditional Republicans.
Parker said she was a “full supporter” of Cornyn in the primary and considers him the better model for senator.
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“I wanted a statesman to represent the state of Texas,” she said. “I don’t necessarily see that replacement from either candidate that’s currently running for U.S. Senate.”
Other prominent Republicans are supporting Talarico, including members of former President George W. Bush’s family. His daughter, Barbara, donated $2,500 to a super PAC supporting his campaign, and Bush’s brother, Neil, said he voted early for the Democrat, saying he had “deep concern” about Paxton’s record and “genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico.”
Paxton’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Alan Steelman, another Talarico backer, took a jab at Paxton at a recent Plano rally.
“In spite of all the talk about draining the swamp, you’re sending another gator to the swamp,” he said.
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Others in the GOP are seeking party unity. State Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Prosper, who supported Cornyn in the primary, urged reluctant Republicans to vote for Paxton.
“If you run across some conservative that just ain’t into it and all that kind of stuff, say ‘suck it up, Buttercup, and get out and vote,’” he said at an Allen campaign event.
No to Bo
The candidates for Texas Railroad Commisison, former Tarrant County GOP chairman Bo French, left, and Democratic state Rep. Jon Rosenthal of Houston.
File Photo and Jon Rosenthal
Though undecided in the Senate race, Parker has made her choices in three other contests, crossing party lines in two:
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Texas Railroad Commission: Parker supports Democrat Jon Rosenthal over Republican Bo French, a former Tarrant County GOP chairman criticized for social media posts, including one disparaging the racial makeup of students celebrating a University of Texas football victory. “I will not vote for Bo French,” she said.
Attorney general: She favors state Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, over state Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston, citing their work together. “No disrespect to Mayes Middleton, I just haven’t worked with him as much,” she said.
Tarrant County judge: Parker supports O’Hare, the GOP incumbent over Democratic County Commissioner Alisa Simmons, despite disagreements with O’Hare over redistricting and polling places.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare at a Commissioners Court meeting Feb. 10 in Fort Worth. He faces Democrat Commissioner Alisa Simmons in the November election.
Maria Crane/Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Parker said she votes for candidates, not parties, and hopes moderates will reject extremes on both sides.
Parker, who is undecided about seeking reelection in 2027, said she isn’t worried that supporting Democrats could hurt her chances of winning a Republican primary for higher office.
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Mayor Mattie Parker in April at Tarleton State University’s Fort Worth campus.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
“I’m not hedging against my future or for my future….That’s just exhausting,” she said.
Parker said her priority is being honest with voters, even if they disagree with her choices.