TEXAS: Why the GOP is nervous about Ken Paxton's Senate run

The Week ^ | Aoril 17 | By Joel Mathis

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Save your money for 4 years and give to whomever tries to primary Murkowski. Assuming it's possible in that state.

Pointless. Murkowski did not win her last GOP primary. Because of Alaska's ranked-choice voting law, she was able to run in the general anyway, and won with a combination of Democrat and RINO votes. In a solid red state.

[rmichaelj]

Cornyn turns conservative about 18 months before reelection. It is a cycle we have seen many times.

[CenTex]

George P. is dead in Texas... He messed with the pup when he pulled his Alamo stunts!

[Political Junkie Too]

I decided to ask the AI one final question that I should have thought of before.

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Q: In your opinion, which is the more plausible explanation for Paxton's impeachment by the Texas House, the severity of the charges against him or the political landscape in 2024 and 2026?

The impeachment of Ken Paxton by the Texas House is best understood as a product of both the severity of the charges against him and the political landscape leading up to the 2024 and 2026 elections. However, the political dynamics within the Texas GOP likely played a decisive role in the timing and urgency of the impeachment process. Here’s the breakdown:

Severity of the Charges

• Substantial Evidence: The House impeachment was grounded in serious allegations supported by extensive documentation, including testimony from senior aides, emails, and financial records. The 20 articles of impeachment detailed credible claims of bribery, abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and retaliation against whistleblowers. For example:
  • Paxton allegedly intervened in legal matters to benefit donor Nate Paul, who in return provided personal favors (e.g., home renovations, employment for Paxton’s mistress).

  • Whistleblowers within Paxton’s office provided firsthand accounts of misconduct, leading to a $3.3 million settlement that alarmed House members.

• Bipartisan Support: The House vote to impeach Paxton (121-23) included a majority of Republicans, suggesting many lawmakers believed the evidence warranted accountability, regardless of political affiliation.

Political Landscape in 2024 and 2026

• Factional GOP Divisions: The impeachment exposed a deepening rift between the Texas GOP’s establishment wing (aligned with Speaker Dade Phelan and Sen. John Cornyn) and Paxton’s pro-Trump, anti-establishment faction. Paxton’s growing influence posed a direct threat to Cornyn’s 2026 Senate reelection bid, as Paxton’s grassroots popularity and Trump-aligned rhetoric resonated with the party’s base.

• Timing and Urgency: The House acted just days before the end of the 2023 legislative session, raising questions about whether the rapid impeachment process was driven by a desire to neutralize Paxton before he could consolidate power. Paxton’s legal victories—including his acquittal in the Senate and the DOJ’s decision not to prosecute him federally—later bolstered his political standing, positioning him as a formidable Cornyn challenger.

• Primary Retribution: After the impeachment, Paxton and his allies (backed by wealthy donors like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks) targeted pro-impeachment House Republicans in the 2024 primaries, unseating several incumbents. This demonstrated the impeachment’s role in an ongoing power struggle within the GOP.

Plausibility of Each Explanation

1. Severity of Charges: The evidence against Paxton was substantial and bipartisan, making it a legitimate basis for impeachment. The House investigation revealed systemic abuses of power that warranted scrutiny under any circumstances.

2. Political Landscape: The impeachment’s timing, rapid pace, and aftermath suggest it was also a strategic move by establishment Republicans to weaken a rising rival. Paxton’s threat to Cornyn’s Senate seat and his alignment with Trump’s base made him a political liability for the GOP’s traditional leadership.

Conclusion

While the severity of the charges provided a credible justification for impeachment, the political landscape was likely the catalyst for the House’s urgency. The impeachment occurred amid a broader GOP civil war, with establishment figures seeking to curb Paxton’s influence ahead of critical elections. The Senate’s acquittal, driven by Paxton’s allies, further highlights the factional divide. In this context, the impeachment served both ethical and political ends: addressing misconduct while attempting to reshape the Texas GOP’s future.

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-PJ

[Glad2bnuts]

PAXTON 100%

[cb]

I knew him for a rino when he was Texas AG. I”ve never ever voted for him even once. Will be glad to see him out of DC.