A Democratic sheriff in one of Texas’s most critical border counties has crossed party lines to endorse two prominent Republicans, delivering sharp criticism of a Democratic state lawmaker’s record on crime and immigration enforcement.
Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez appeared in a political advertisement supporting Republican Ken Paxton’s bid for the U.S. Senate, directly attacking Democratic opponent James Talarico’s legislative voting history. The endorsement marks a notable defection from party politics in a race with high stakes for Texas and national border policy.
In the ad, Martinez laid out specific objections to Talarico’s record in the Texas legislature. According to the sheriff, Talarico “voted against cracking down on cartels,” “voted against tougher sentences for human traffickers,” and “voted to let violent offenders out without bail.” Martinez concluded his remarks by warning that “James Talarico’s liberal crime agenda will make it harder for us to protect you.”
A Border County With Deadly Stakes
Martinez’s county sits approximately 80 miles north of the Texas-Mexico border, yet it plays a pivotal role in the ongoing immigration and smuggling crisis. Brooks County hosts a U.S. Border Patrol interior checkpoint, which has made it a focal point for human smuggling operations.
Cartel-connected smugglers routinely drop migrants off on ranches south of the checkpoint, instructing them to hike around it to reach pickup points on the northern side. The tactic has proven deadly. Thousands of migrants have died after being abandoned by smugglers in the harsh terrain, according to Martinez.
“For more than a decade, I witnessed the horrific deaths of migrants in our county,” Martinez said in a phone interview with Breitbart Texas, the outlet that first reported the endorsements. He credited former President Donald Trump’s border policies with dramatically reducing those fatalities. “When President Donald Trump shut down the border, the discovery of these bodies or remains fell by more than 90 percent,” Martinez stated.
Second Republican Endorsement: Governor Abbott
Martinez didn’t stop with Paxton. He also endorsed Republican Governor Greg Abbott in his race against Democrat Gina Hinajosa, praising Abbott’s support for local law enforcement during what Martinez described as unprecedented border challenges.
“During the border crisis, Governor Abbott supported Texas sheriffs and provided the resources needed to protect our communities,” Martinez said in a written statement. “He worked alongside local law enforcement as we faced unprecedented challenges along the border. Governor Abbott had our backs when we needed him, and I am proud to support his re-election.”
The sheriff, who was first elected in 2016 after retiring from the Texas Department of Public Safety and serving as chief deputy, drew a stark contrast between the two parties’ engagement with his office.
“During my tenure as sheriff, not a single Democrat ever walked into my office or called and asked how they could help,” Martinez told Breitbart. “It is only Republicans who showed up, time and time again, to help our county deal with this crisis.”
Backlash and Principle
Martinez acknowledged that his Republican endorsements have generated significant negative feedback from fellow Democrats. Still, he defended his decision as a matter of duty to his constituents rather than partisan loyalty.
“My feeling is, I have to do what is right for my county and the needs of my constituents,” he said. “Democrat politicians just don’t seem to care about these issues.”
In the Paxton ad, Martinez framed the stakes in personal terms for Texans beyond the border region. “If they get past me, they’re coming for you,” he warned, referring to illegal border crossers moving through Brooks County.
Broader Political Implications
Martinez’s endorsements highlight a deepening divide between Democratic officials in border communities and the national party’s platform on immigration and criminal justice. Local law enforcement leaders in these areas have increasingly voiced frustration with policies they say hamper their ability to enforce the law and protect residents.
The sheriff’s willingness to publicly support the opposing party underscores how border security has become a defining issue in Texas politics, transcending traditional party allegiances for those who confront the human and logistical consequences daily.
For Republicans, Martinez’s backing offers validation of their border policies and a potent campaign talking point: a Democratic law enforcement official in a border county endorsing their candidates over his own party. For Democrats, it represents a warning sign about the party’s standing with voters and officials who live and work on the front lines of immigration enforcement.
As the Senate race between Paxton and Talarico intensifies, Martinez’s decision to put border security and local public safety concerns above party loyalty places those issues squarely at the center of the campaign. His message is clear: from the perspective of one border county sheriff, the policies matter more than the party label.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/border/2026/11/02/democrat-texas-border-sheriff-bashes-talarico-in-pro-paxton-ad/