Did George W. Bush’s brother Neil Bush say he voted for James Talarico?

Ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Texas’ Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, James Talarico, seemed to gain an unexpected supporter. Social media users shared a purported Facebook post in which Republican former President George W. Bush’s brother Neil Bush said he had voted for Talarico.

According to posts on X and Facebook, Bush wrote: “I have never posted a political message on Facebook not wanting to offend friends whose views may be very different than mine. I’m breaking that tradition because I voted early today, and I voted for James Talarico for the United States Senate.”

Bush did post on his Facebook account that he voted for Talarico. As such, we rate this claim as true.

Bush made the Facebook post (archived) on Oct. 20 (emphasis ours):

I have never posted a political message on Facebook not wanting to offend friends whose views may be very different than mine. I’m breaking that tradition because I voted early today, and I voted for James Talarico for the United States Senate.

My vote was motivated by two things: deep concern about Ken Paxton’s record and genuine admiration for the character and principles I see in James Talarico.

I have been deeply troubled by Paxton’s conduct as Texas Attorney General, particularly his decision to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in other states in an effort to help Donald Trump remain in power. I believe that effort was an affront to our democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power. My concerns about his judgment and conduct are hardly mine alone. He was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House, although subsequently acquitted by the Texas Senate.

More broadly, I believe Donald Trump and those who have enabled him have done enormous damage to the Republican Party. I worry about a political culture in which loyalty to an individual takes precedence over loyalty to principle, and where those who hold power begin to believe they are no longer accountable.
But my vote today was about much more than opposition to Ken Paxton.

I’ve never met James Talarico, but I have been enormously impressed by the way he approaches complicated and controversial issues. He speaks with respect, seeks common ground, and seems genuinely interested in bringing people together rather than driving them apart. His faith appears to be a deeply rooted source of humility, compassion, and conviction rather than a political weapon.

I see in him the qualities I admire most in public servants: integrity, civility, humility, and a willingness to listen to those with whom he disagrees. My impression is that he is a principled, pragmatic leader who understands that public office is a responsibility to serve, not an entitlement to power.

I have been a Republican for most of my life, and I still believe deeply in many traditional Republican principles. But character matters more than party affiliation. Our democracy depends on leaders who respect our institutions, tell the truth, accept accountability, and seek to unite rather than divide.

Today, I voted against a style of politics that I believe has damaged our country. More importantly, I voted for the kind of character and leadership I hope will help heal it.

(Facebook user Neil Bush)

This is Bush’s official account where he posts photographs of himself and family members attending various initiatives led or supported by the Bush family. For example, he is the chairperson of the board for Points of Light, a volunteering initiative founded in 1990 by his father, former President George H.W. Bush. The organization often tags Bush in its Facebook posts.

George W. Bush has not commented publicly on his brother’s post or on the Senate race. George W. Bush’s daughter Barbara Bush has donated to a super PAC supporting Talarico, according to The New York Times.

For further reading, Snopes has frequently reported on rumors surrounding Talarico.