<p>A former law enforcement official under Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was later fired after reporting Paxton to the FBI, has endorsed Democrat James Talarico in the upcoming Senate race.</p>
<p>David Maxwell, who served as Paxton’s director of law enforcement for nearly a decade, endorsed Talarico on Tuesday and appeared in a campaign advertisement criticizing his former boss.</p>
<p>“Ken Paxton ended my five-decade career in public service because I blew the whistle on his corruption,” Maxwell stated in a news release. “Today, I am endorsing James Talarico because Texans deserve a Senator who serves the people — not a crook who serves himself.”</p>
<p>Maxwell has nearly 50 years of experience in Texas law enforcement, including time as a Texas ranger and induction into the Hall of Fame before joining the attorney general’s office.</p>
<p>In 2020, Maxwell was part of a group of senior aides who reported Paxton to the FBI, alleging that he abused his office to benefit Austin real estate developer and political donor Nate Paul. Following the report, Paxton fired Maxwell and several other whistleblowers.</p>
<p>The whistleblowers subsequently sued Paxton’s office under the Texas Whistleblower Act. A judge ordered the state to pay the four former aides, including Maxwell, a total of $6.6 million last year. Paxton did not appeal the judgment but has denied any wrongdoing. Investigations related to the allegations against Paxton were ultimately closed without charges.</p>
<p>Maxwell also testified during Paxton’s 2023 impeachment trial, warning state senators that Paxton’s actions could lead to indictment. Clips of his testimony were included in an advertisement from the Talarico campaign promoting Maxwell’s endorsement.</p>
<p>The Texas Senate, controlled by the GOP, acquitted Paxton on all articles of impeachment during the trial.</p>
<p>This endorsement adds to Talarico’s campaign strategy against the Republican nominee, with Dan Cogdell, an attorney who represented Paxton and defended him during the impeachment trial, having endorsed Talarico in June.</p>
<p>Talarico has focused on Paxton’s legal and ethical issues as a key theme in his campaign, as Democrats aim to flip a Senate seat in Texas, a state they have not won in decades.</p>
<p>The race has garnered national attention, with polls indicating a competitive contest. President Donald Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC has announced a $10 million advertising campaign targeting Talarico, marking its first significant investment in a major general election race this cycle.</p>