Seliger said he has served with both men. He called Talarico "not some wild-eyed socialist," and said Talarico may believe in things the Democratic Party believes in that Seliger does not. "I think that the things that he does are going to be what is best for Texas," Seliger said. "Not what's best for Elon Musk."
Talarico's campaign says over two dozen former GOP officials have endorsed him. The pattern shows up elsewhere, including Alaska, where Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins on Tuesday. In Kansas, former Republican governors Bill Graves and Mike Hayden announced in September and October that they back Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton.
Republicans say crossover runs both directions. Natalie Baldassarre, national press secretary for the Republican National Committee, pointed to the Texas race and to Michigan, where Mike Rogers faces Abdul El-Sayed. She also cited a coalition called "Democrats for Mike Rogers."
For folks in Lubbock, that means a Senate ballot where both sides are courting voters outside their own party. Experts say the endorsements may not be enough to change outcomes in November.