Two prominent Texas law enforcement veterans endorsed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. Charley Wilkison, former leader of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, and David Maxwell, a Texas Ranger Hall of Famer and former law-enforcement director under Republican candidate Ken Paxton, announced support for Talarico.
Where
Statewide
When
Not stated in sources
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Friday, October 30, 2026. Early voting in Texas U.S. Senate election (Statewide)2
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. U.S. Senate general election polling day (Statewide)2
Who's involved
Charley WilkisonFormer head of Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas; endorsed Talarico
David MaxwellTexas Ranger Hall of Famer and former law-enforcement director under Paxton; endorsed Talarico
James TalaricoDemocratic U.S. Senate candidate
Ken PaxtonRepublican U.S. Senate candidate and Texas attorney general
The facts
Wilkison led the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas for 11 years.2
Maxwell spent nearly 50 years working in Texas law enforcement.2
Maxwell reported Paxton to the FBI in 2020, alleging bribery and abuse of office.2
Maxwell appeared in an online ad endorsing Talarico against Paxton.2
Talarico's campaign donated $2,500 to the Austin Justice Coalition, Paxton alleged.2
Talarico pointed to votes allocating $56 billion to law-enforcement agencies.2
Paxton addressed the Texas Sheriff's Association ahead of the general election.2
Talarico addressed the Texas Sheriff's Association ahead of the general election.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Charley Wilkison Talarico is a champion for all of us, everyday Americans getting short end of corrupt political and economic system.2
Charley Wilkison Paxton does not pass the smell test.2
David Maxwell Texans deserve a senator who serves the people, not a crook who serves himself.2
Ken Paxton Talarico is one of the most anti-law-enforcement politicians of all time.2
Ken Paxton Talarico's voting record is abysmal on law enforcement and protecting communities.2
James Talarico I am not, nor have ever been, for defunding the police.2
Where the sources disagree
Whether Talarico supported police defunding efforts Paxton alleged Talarico supported defunding through Austin Justice Coalition donation [2]; Talarico denied being for defunding police and cited $56 billion in law enforcement funding votes [2]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Former Texas police union leader makes case for Talarico
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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