Libertarian Texas Senate candidate says he’s not taking votes away from Paxton, Talarico

Ted Brown, the Libertarian candidate in the highly contested Texas Senate race , shut down claims that votes for him could end up splitting votes, leading to a potential outcome that could cost Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) the election.

“Both sides are saying the same thing. Democrats are saying, hey, that I’m taking votes away from Talarico, and Republicans say I’m taking votes away from Paxton,” Brown said in an interview with NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday.”

“But in reality, I’m just promoting my candidacy and the Libertarian Party. We need an alternative in this party, in this country. And the two parties are just not providing it.”

With the election less than two weeks away, Brown dismissed arguments that by voting Libertarian, the race would amount to handing control of the Senate to Democrats, saying his presence on the ballot offers voters a choice outside of the traditional two-party system.

“Every other aspect of life, there are multiple choices, paint colors, ice cream flavors, barbecue sauce, everything, except for politics. And it’s very important. So I’m here to promote an alternative point of view,” he said.

He continued, “I don’t believe that votes for me are against the — they’re for me and for an alternative, not to take down one of the major parties. Texas does have a Libertarian history, more within the Republican Party.”

The dispute comes as Paxton, who was endorsed by President Trump in the primary, faces a competitive race against Democrat James Talarico for the seat held by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report shifted the race in the deep red state from “likely red” to “toss-up,” and several polls found Talarico with a slight lead ahead of Paxton in the last stretch of the race.

The narrow margin between the major party candidates has drawn attention to Brown’s potential impact on the election.