Who is Ken Paxton?
Ken Paxton was born on December 23, 1962, in Minot, North Dakota. This is where his father was stationed while he was in the United States Air Force. Paxton grew up living in trailers parked outside whatever base his father was currently stationed at and moved around from place to place. He lived in Florida, New York, North Carolina, California and Oklahoma before settling into Dallas, Texas.
There he grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. And later on, in his years Paxton attended Baylor University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and also obtained his Master in Business Administration. He went on to work for two years as a management
He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. After completing his law degree, Paxton worked as an attorney in private practice. He specialized in business law and estate planning, gaining experience in commercial litigation, real estate, and other areas.
Ken Paxton Political Career
Paxton’s political career began when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2002. He served as a state representative from 2003 to 2013, representing District 70. In 2004 Ken Paxton was up for reelection and won against democrat Martin Woodward with a capture of 76% votes. Ken went on to defeat other Politicians in 2004. 2006 and 2010.
After 2010 Ken Paxton decided to try to run for the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives against Joe Straus of District 121 Bexar County. Paxton went on to state that if he won that he would take bold action in defense of Texas Conservative values. Sensing that he would not win Paxton decided to pulled out the Speaker’s race before the votes were in. In 2012, he successfully ran for the Texas State Senate and served in that capacity from 2013 to 2015.
In the 2014 general election, Paxton became a candidate for the Texas Attorney General when Greg Abbott decided to run for governor. He ran for the position of Texas Attorney General and emerged victorious. He assumed office in January 2015, succeeding Greg Abbott, who had been elected as the state’s governor. Paxton campaign raised $945,000 in the first half of 2016, leaving him with just under $3 million in his campaign account for a potential 2018 reelection bid. In 2018, Paxton ran again but this time unopposed and after having received endorsement from Donald Trump.
As Attorney General, Paxton has focused on issues such as border security, religious freedom, and conservative legal principles.
Throughout his tenure as Attorney General, Ken Paxton has faced several controversies and legal challenges. In 2015, he was indicted on felony charges related to securities fraud but has maintained his innocence and fought the charges. The case has undergone various legal proceedings and has yet to be resolved as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021.
The Allegations Facing Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, has been embroiled in numerous controversies and legal battles throughout his political career. Despite these challenges, he has remained popular with Texas voters, securing a third four-year term in 2022.
As the state’s top lawyer, Ken Paxton’s responsibilities include representing Texas in civil litigation and legal matters. This involves defending the state in lawsuits and participating in legal actions against entities such as the federal government or corporations on behalf of the public. The Attorney General can also issue written legal opinions that may influence local governments and attorneys.
Paxton has been fighting felony securities fraud charges since 2015. He was accused of misleading investors in McKinney-based Servergy Inc. without disclosing his financial interest in the company. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the case is politically motivated.
In 2020, senior officials within Paxton’s office asked federal law enforcement to investigate allegations of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery, and other potential crimes. They accused Paxton of using his position to benefit political donor Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor. The investigation was taken over by the U.S. Justice Department in 2023.
Former employees who were fired after reporting Paxton to federal authorities filed a whistleblower lawsuit in 2020, claiming retaliation by Paxton and his agency. The case resulted in a $3.3 million settlement with the whistleblowers in February 2023, but state lawmakers have been hesitant to approve taxpayer funds for the settlement.
Paxton has been a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump and cast doubt on the security of the 2020 election. He asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn electoral victories in four swing states won by Democrat Joe Biden, but the court dismissed the petition. The State Bar of Texas also sued Paxton for professional misconduct related to his claims about voter fraud.
As Attorney General, Paxton has championed conservative priorities, frequently suing the federal government to challenge actions taken under Democratic administrations. He has been involved in legal battles against Obama-era initiatives, the Affordable Care Act, and DACA, among others.
Despite the scandals and legal challenges, Paxton has managed to maintain support from Texas voters. He won the 2018 Republican primary with no challenger and secured victory in the 2022 primary runoff against strong contenders, including George P. Bush, with an endorsement from Donald Trump.
Ken Paxton’s political career has been marked by significant controversy and legal battles, but he has managed to persevere and maintain his position as Texas Attorney General with the continued support of the state’s voters.
The Impeachment Of Ken Paxton
The Texas House dealt a major blow to Attorney General Ken Paxton’s career by overwhelmingly voting to impeach him, despite a last-minute appeal from former President Donald Trump. The vote, which adopted 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton, was 121-23.
This significant and surprising vote occurred just two days after an investigative committee revealed the articles of impeachment and right before the end of a biennial legislative session marked by notable right-wing victories, such as the ban on transgender health care for minors and restrictions on diversity efforts in public universities.
The impeachment exposed deep divisions within the Republican Party of Texas, a party that has consistently won statewide elections and controlled both houses of the Legislature for nearly two decades. These divisions have been further exacerbated by Donald Trump’s influence on the party.
Ken Paxton has been a prominent figure among attorneys general, particularly due to his history of suing the Obama and Biden administrations. He is known for being one of Trump’s closest allies in Texas, having joined forces with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to challenge the 2020 presidential election results in four states, albeit unsuccessfully.
The focus now shifts to the Texas Senate, where a trial will take place with senators acting as jurors and designated House members presenting the case as impeachment managers. To permanently remove Paxton from office and bar him from holding future elected positions in Texas, the support of two-thirds of the senators will be required.
The impeachment received support from 60 Republicans, including Speaker Dade Phelan and all five representatives from Collin County, where Paxton and his wife reside. All 23 votes against impeachment came from Republicans.
Following the impeachment, Paxton vehemently denounced the vote, describing it as “illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust.” He expressed his hope for a swift resolution in the Senate.
The move to impeach Paxton stemmed from an investigation by the House General Investigating Committee, which revealed a pattern of misconduct and questionable actions, including bribery, dereliction of duty, and obstruction of justice. The case was presented on Saturday, and committee members acknowledged the gravity of their actions.
Paxton’s supporters criticized the impeachment proceedings, claiming they were rushed, secretive, and based on hearsay accounts, with Paxton not given the opportunity to defend himself before the investigating committee.
The articles of impeachment primarily focused on allegations that Paxton had abused his office to assist a political donor and friend, Nate Paul, a real estate developer from Austin. Eight top deputies from Paxton’s office had raised concerns about his relationship with Paul in 2020, and most of the details of these allegations came to light through a lawsuit filed by four former executives who claimed they were fired in retaliation for reporting Paxton’s actions to the authorities.
If Paxton is to survive the impeachment, he will need to secure the support of 11 senators, as the 12 Democratic senators are likely to vote for his removal. As Paxton’s political base lies in the far-right faction of the Republican Party, his survival may depend on securing votes from the 19 Republican members.
The Texas Senate will play a crucial role in determining Paxton’s fate, and several Republican senators have already issued statements, cautioning against discussing the case due to their role as jurors in the upcoming trial.
Amid all the political drama, Paxton’s wife, Senator Angela Paxton, could also be a complicating factor. State law requires all senators to attend an impeachment trial, but it remains uncertain whether she will recuse herself from voting.
Overall, the impeachment of Ken Paxton marks a significant political threat to his career, given his re-elections despite past indictments and ongoing federal investigations into allegations of official misconduct.
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Ken Paxton FAQs
Ken Paxton is a politician and attorney who currently serves as the Attorney General of Texas.
Ken Paxton has been known for initiating lawsuits against federal policies, challenging the Affordable Care Act, and advocating for conservative causes.
Yes, Ken Paxton has faced legal controversies, including an indictment for securities fraud and allegations of misconduct in office.
Ken Paxton is affiliated with the Republican Party and is considered a prominent figure within the party’s far-right faction.
As of now, Ken Paxton’s career is marked by his role as the Attorney General of Texas. He has faced re-election challenges and legal battles during his tenure.
Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.
Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.
His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.
Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.
