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Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico received a boost from a surprising corner of the Republican Party as his former first daughter, Barbara Bush, recently donated to the main PAC supporting his campaign.
Former President George W. Bush has had a strained relationship with President Donald Trump since the 2016 campaign, when Trump mocked his mother and brother. But the donation from Bush’s daughter, the twin sister of NBC host Jenna Bush Hager, comes at a crucial time for Republicans’ hopes of retaining the U.S. Senate.
Fox News Digital confirmed through FEC filings that Barbara Bush — who shares the name of the late first lady, her grandmother — contributed $2,500 to the Lone Star Rising PAC this quarter. The PAC accounts for almost all outside spending supporting Talarico, according to Houston Public Media.
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President George W., first lady Laura, his first daughter Barbara, and his first daughter Jenna Bush are seen during the 2005 inauguration in Washington. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Although the amount is smaller than contributions from some other high-profile donors, including the Eagles’ Don Henley, who gave $150,000 to the PAC, analysts said it is remarkable that Bush has made no effort to hide his politically famous identity.
“She didn’t give it to a 501(c)(4), where her contribution would have been completely anonymous. She gave it to a PAC that reports all the money coming in and going out,” Texas campaign finance expert Andrew Cates told Houston Public Media.
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Barbara Bush attends the Sotheby’s Designers and Collectors Dinner at the Breuer in New York, NY on December 9, 2025. (Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)
Barbara Bush, 44, is currently an executive at the National Basketball Association, where she serves as vice president of social impact and inclusion. His FEC filing reflected an address in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.
According to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Bush works with the league internationally to use the “unifying power of basketball” to support humanitarian efforts involving social justice, “health equity” and sustainability.
She also co-founded the Global Health Corps, which aims to empower young people to solve global health problems. She and Hager also co-wrote several children’s books.
The George W. Bush Presidential Center did not respond to a request for comment to both former President Bush and Barbara Bush.
Fox News Digital also contacted the Washington Speakers Bureau, which represents Barbara Bush.
Talarico blasted big money in politics and criticized Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and his opponent Ken Paxton for “wanting corporations and billionaires to decide our elections, not Texans.”
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Texas Democrat and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico speaks during a campaign event in Round Rock, Texas, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
However, Talarico also said he would not “unilaterally disarm” campaign spending while Republicans employ political action committees, according to the Texas Tribune.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Talarico’s campaign for comment on Barbara Bush’s donation.
Will Jacobs of Fox News contributed to this report.
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