Changes

|predecessor=[[Greg Abbott]]

|predecessor=[[Greg Abbott]]

|successor=John Scott

|successor=John Scott

|term_start2=September 1t6, 2023 (acquitted)  

|term_start2=September 16, 2023 (acquitted)  

|office3=Texas State Senator<br> for District 8 (Collin County)

|office3=Texas State Senator<br> for District 8 (Collin County)

|term_start3=January 2013

|term_start3=January 2013

}}

}}

{{See also|Conservative of the Year 2023}} (finalist)

{{See also|Conservative of the Year 2023}} (finalist)

'''Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton, Jr.''' (born December 23, 1962), is an [[United States|American]] [[lawyer]] and the finest [[Attorney General]] ([[Texas]]) in the [[United States]]. Paxton has held this office since January 2015, except for a brief suspension during a failed attempt by [[RINO]]s to remove him during their [[Paxton Impeachment|sham impeachment of Paxton]]. Paxton is a leader in opposing [[globalists]] who demand an [[open border]], and he has been far stronger against [[Biden]]'s open-border policies than any other statewide Texas officials have been.

'''Warren Kenneth "Ken" Paxton, Jr.''' (born December 23, 1962), is an [[United States|American]] [[lawyer]] and the finest [[Attorney General]] ([[Texas]]) in the [[United States]]. Paxton has held this office since January 2015, except for a brief suspension during a failed attempt by [[RINO]]s to remove him during their [[Paxton Impeachment|sham impeachment of Paxton]]. Paxton is a leader in opposing [[globalists]] who demand an [[open border]], and he has been far stronger against [[Biden]]'s open-border policies than any other statewide Texas official has been.

Similar to [[Trump]] nationwide, Paxton endorsed a slate of candidates in the 2024 Texas [[Republican]] primaries.<ref>https://x.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1757234830943699352?s=20</ref> Paxton is outspoken in opposing the "[[America Last]]" [[RINO]]s in the [[GOP]].

Similar to [[Trump]] nationwide, Paxton endorsed a slate of candidates in the 2024 Texas [[Republican]] primaries.<ref>https://x.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1757234830943699352?s=20</ref> Paxton is outspoken in opposing the "[[America Last]]" [[RINO]]s in the [[GOP]].

On May 27, 2023, a large coalition of [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] and [[liberal]] Republicans voted for a [[Paxton Impeachment|sham impeachment]] of Paxton on twenty frivolous charges. He was denied his [[due process]] right to refute all charges, which came forth in three days without Paxton permitted to present his side of the issue. The voted was prompted by Paxton's call for the resignation of House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]], a [[liberal]] Republican from [[Beaumont]] who allegedly appeared inebriated on the House floor earlier in the week. The vote was a pathetic 121 to 23, with 60 Republicans voting to impeach as probably ordered to do so by the [[RINO]] leadership.

On May 27, 2023, a large coalition of [[Democratic Party|Democrats]] and [[liberal]] Republicans voted for a [[Paxton Impeachment|sham impeachment]] of Paxton on twenty frivolous charges. He was denied his [[due process]] right to refute all charges, which came forth in three days without Paxton being permitted to present his side of the issue. The vote was prompted by Paxton's call for the resignation of House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]], a [[liberal]] Republican from [[Beaumont]] who allegedly appeared inebriated on the House floor earlier in the week. The vote was a pathetic 121 to 23, with 60 Republicans voting to impeach as probably ordered to do so by the [[RINO]] leadership.

'''''The Texas Senate fully acquitted on all charges against Paxton, by a landslide vote on September 16, 2023'''''.<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-acquitted-impeachment-texas-attorney-general/</ref> However, two renegade Republican senators joined their Democrat colleagues to convict. Paxton has been mentioned as a putative nominee for U.S. [[Attorney General]] in the Second presidency of [[Donald Trump]].<ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2023/12/26/hey-why-not-trump-vp-and-expanded-cabinet/ Hey, Why Not – Trump VP and Expanded Cabinet], ''[[The Conservative Treehouse]], December 26, 2023.</ref>

'''''The Texas Senate fully acquitted Paxton on all charges by a landslide vote on September 16, 2023'''''.<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/16/ken-paxton-acquitted-impeachment-texas-attorney-general/</ref> However, two renegade Republican senators joined their Democrat colleagues to convict. Paxton has been mentioned as a putative nominee for U.S. [[Attorney General]] in the Second presidency of [[Donald Trump]].<ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2023/12/26/hey-why-not-trump-vp-and-expanded-cabinet/ Hey, Why Not – Trump VP and Expanded Cabinet], ''[[The Conservative Treehouse]], December 26, 2023.</ref>

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

Paxton was born in Minot, [[North Dakota]], to a military family that lived at times in five states. He graduated from [[Baylor University]] in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], Texas, and the [[University of Virginia]] School of Law in Charlottesville, [[Virginia]].

Paxton was born in Minot, [[North Dakota]], to a military family that lived at times in five states. He graduated from [[Baylor University]] in [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], Texas, and the [[University of Virginia]] School of Law in Charlottesville, [[Virginia]].

He resides in McKinney in Collin County with his wife, Angela, whom he met at Baylor and who is also his political advisor and a current Texas state senator. The couple has four children and are members of large [[Prestonwood Baptist Church]] in Plano.

He resides in McKinney in Collin County with his wife, Angela, whom he met at Baylor and who is also his political advisor and a current Texas state senator. The couple has four children and are members of a large [[Prestonwood Baptist Church]] in Plano.

==Career==

==Career==

In 2014, Paxton won election as attorney general with support from [[conservative]]s and the [[Tea Party Movement]]. In the Republican primary, he defeated state Representative Dan H. Branch of [[Dallas]], a director of the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies at [[Southern Methodist University]], named for [[John Tower]], Texas first popularly-elected Republican senator, who began his career as a staunch conservative but is now considered an icon of [[Moderate Republican]]s.

In 2014, Paxton won election as attorney general with support from [[conservative]]s and the [[Tea Party Movement]]. In the Republican primary, he defeated state Representative Dan H. Branch of [[Dallas]], a director of the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies at [[Southern Methodist University]], named for [[John Tower]], Texas' first popularly elected Republican senator, who began his career as a staunch conservative but is now considered an icon of [[Moderate Republican]]s.

Before he became attorney general, Paxton previously served for ten years in the Texas House of Representatives and two years in the Texas Senate, representing Collin County, north of Dallas.

Before he became attorney general, Paxton previously served for ten years in the Texas House of Representatives and two years in the Texas Senate, representing Collin County, north of Dallas.

During much of his tenure as attorney general, Paxton has been sidetracked by personal legal matters. He faces a fraud trial in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] in December 2017 for having allegedly failed to inform those investing in the technology firm Servergy that he was receiving a commission on sales. At the time, Paxton was still a member of the Texas House of Representatives. The case will be presided over by a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] judge, Robert Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-AG-Paxton-to-stand-trial-in-December-judge-11549166.php|author=Cindy George and Andrea Zelinski|title=Texas AG Paxton to stand trial in December, judge rules|publisher=''The Houston Chronicle''|date=July 27, 2017|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Meanwhile, a Security and Exchange Commission complaint against Paxton has been twice dismissed, most recently in March 2017, on the grounds that the attorney general had "no plausible legal duty" to inform investors that he would earn a commission if they purchased stock in a technical company that Paxton represented.<ref name=december>Andrea Zelinski, "Paxton's SEC charge dismissed: No 'legal duty' to disclose commission," ''San Antonio Express-News'', March 3, 2017, p. A3.</ref>

During much of his tenure as attorney general, Paxton has been sidetracked by personal legal matters. He faces a fraud trial in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] in December 2017 for having allegedly failed to inform those investing in the technology firm Servergy that he was receiving a commission on sales. At the time, Paxton was still a member of the Texas House of Representatives. The case will be presided over by a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] judge, Robert Johnson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-AG-Paxton-to-stand-trial-in-December-judge-11549166.php|author=Cindy George and Andrea Zelinski|title=Texas AG Paxton to stand trial in December, judge rules|publisher=''The Houston Chronicle''|date=July 27, 2017|accessdate=October 1, 2017}}</ref> Meanwhile, a Securities and Exchange Commission complaint against Paxton has been twice dismissed, most recently in March 2017, on the grounds that the attorney general had "no plausible legal duty" to inform investors that he would earn a commission if they purchased stock in a technical company that Paxton represented.<ref name=december>Andrea Zelinski, "Paxton's SEC charge dismissed: No 'legal duty' to disclose commission," ''San Antonio Express-News'', March 3, 2017, p. A3.</ref>

As attorney general, Paxton has fought to keep alive from federal court challenges the state laws requiring proper voter identification, the abolition of [[sanctuary cities]], religious freedom, and the current congressional districting plan, which Democrats claim is [[gerrymander]]ed to favor Republicans. On June 25, 2018, the [[United States Supreme Court]] decided 5–4, that the district lines were drawn in "good faith" in 2013 by Texas state legislators. However, one state House district was invalidated. Democrats claim that the growth of Texas occurs primarily in minority areas, but minorities do not receive equal representation in how legislative lines are drafted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/supreme-court-upholds-most-texas-election-districts-over-charges-of-racial-discrimination/ar-AAz9uhb?ocid=spartanntp|title=Supreme Court upholds most Texas election districts over charges of racial discrimination|publisher=Msn.com|accessdate=June 25, 2018}}</ref>

As attorney general, Paxton has fought to keep alive from federal court challenges the state laws requiring proper voter identification, the abolition of [[sanctuary cities]], religious freedom, and the current congressional districting plan, which Democrats claim is [[gerrymander]]ed to favor Republicans. On June 25, 2018, the [[United States Supreme Court]] decided 5–4 that the district lines were drawn in "good faith" in 2013 by Texas state legislators. However, one state House district was invalidated. Democrats claim that the growth of Texas occurs primarily in minority areas, but minorities do not receive equal representation in how legislative lines are drafted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/supreme-court-upholds-most-texas-election-districts-over-charges-of-racial-discrimination/ar-AAz9uhb?ocid=spartanntp|title=Supreme Court upholds most Texas election districts over charges of racial discrimination|publisher=Msn.com|accessdate=June 25, 2018}}</ref>

Paxton's trial was scheduled to have begun on December 11, 2017, coincidentally the last day that he could file as a candidate for re-nomination in the Republican primary on March 6, 2018. If convicted, he could face huge fines and 99 years imprisonment.<ref name=december/> However, the trial has yet to begin and may not happen until after the November 6 general election in which Paxton is a candidate for a second term. Before Paxton can face the fraud charges, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, must decide if the prosecutors in the case are being overpaid. After its summer recess, the appeals court will issue an opinion regarding the pay for the prosecutors in September at the earliest. So the Paxton trial could be delayed until 2019.<ref>"Justice Delayed", ''Texas Monthly'', July 3, 2018.</ref>  

Paxton's trial was scheduled to have begun on December 11, 2017, coincidentally the last day that he could file as a candidate for re-nomination in the Republican primary on March 6, 2018. If convicted, he could face huge fines and 99 years' imprisonment.<ref name=december/> However, the trial has yet to begin and may not happen until after the November 6 general election in which Paxton is a candidate for a second term. Before Paxton can face the fraud charges, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest criminal court, must decide if the prosecutors in the case are being overpaid. After its summer recess, the appeals court will issue an opinion regarding the pay for the prosecutors in September at the earliest. So the Paxton trial could be delayed until 2019.<ref>"Justice Delayed", ''Texas Monthly'', July 3, 2018.</ref>

Paxton also faces an expanded probe by the state into his $546,700 defense fund, contributions of which have come mainly from family friends. The state did not reveal what it has found in this probe.<ref>Andrea Zelinski, "Prosecutors' AG probe expands: Paxton's legal defense fund under scrutiny, federal judge is told," ''The San Antonio Express-News,'' October 6, 2017, pp. A3-A4.</ref>  

Paxton also faces an expanded probe by the state into his $546,700 defense fund, contributions of which have come mainly from family friends. The state did not reveal what it has found in this probe.<ref>Andrea Zelinski, "Prosecutors' AG probe expands: Paxton's legal defense fund under scrutiny, federal judge is told," ''The San Antonio Express-News,'' October 6, 2017, pp. A3-A4.</ref>

In 2017, Paxton came to [[Laredo]] to investigate city and county efforts toward border security. He indicated that he was impressed by the coordination among law enforcement agencies" "So often you see turf battle among different law enforcement groups ... and it seems like here the state is very engaged ... but so are all the local officials and the federal officials. So the cooperation is about as good as I've ever seen."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/Texas-Attorney-General-Ken-Paxton-visits-Laredo-12238147.php|title=Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton visits Laredo for first time since taking office|author=Julia Wallace|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|date=September 28, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref>

In 2017, Paxton came to [[Laredo]] to investigate city and county efforts toward border security. He indicated that he was impressed by the coordination among law enforcement agencies. "So often you see turf battle among different law enforcement groups ... and it seems like here the state is very engaged ... but so are all the local officials and the federal officials. So the cooperation is about as good as I've ever seen."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/Texas-Attorney-General-Ken-Paxton-visits-Laredo-12238147.php|title=Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton visits Laredo for first time since taking office|author=Julia Wallace|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|date=September 28, 2017|accessdate=February 16, 2018}}</ref>

Paxton has promoted and fought for [[pro-life]] policies as Attorney General.<ref>Clabough, Raven (September 9, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/family/item/33366-texas-ag-office-continues-fight-for-dignity-of-the-unborn-in-fetal-remains-case Texas AG Office Continues Fight for Dignity of the Unborn in Fetal Remains Case]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 9, 2019.</ref>

Paxton has promoted and fought for [[pro-life]] policies as Attorney General.<ref>Clabough, Raven (September 9, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/family/item/33366-texas-ag-office-continues-fight-for-dignity-of-the-unborn-in-fetal-remains-case Texas AG Office Continues Fight for Dignity of the Unborn in Fetal Remains Case]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 9, 2019.</ref>

In the summer of 2020, Paxton's long-time conservative credentials came under scrutiny when he wrote a trial court asking that a suit filed in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] by Dr. Steven F. Hotze, executive director of the group, Conservative Republican, be dismissed for lack of standing and jurisdiction. Hotze challenged the designation "non-essential businesses" used during the [[coronavirus]] pandemic by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who has ruined many businesses with her directives. Hotze even questioned the conservative credentials of Governor [[Greg Abbott]], who declined at the time to call the state legislature in special session to address the matter of pandemic closures.<ref>Dr. Steven F. Hotze, "Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton supported avowed Socialist Democrat, Harris County Judge Hidalgo in the lawsuit, Hotze et al. v Hidalgo," Conservative Republicans of Texas, August 4, 2020.</ref>

In the summer of 2020, Paxton's long-time conservative credentials came under scrutiny when he wrote a trial court asking that a suit filed in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] by Dr. Steven F. Hotze, executive director of the group, Conservative Republican, be dismissed for lack of standing and jurisdiction. Hotze challenged the designation "non-essential businesses" used during the [[coronavirus]] pandemic by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, who has ruined many businesses with her directives. Hotze even questioned the conservative credentials of Governor [[Greg Abbott]], who declined at the time to call the state legislature in special session to address the matter of pandemic closures.<ref>Dr. Steven F. Hotze, "Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton supported avowed Socialist Democrat, Harris County Judge Hidalgo in the lawsuit, Hotze et al. v Hidalgo," Conservative Republicans of Texas, August 4, 2020.</ref>

==2022 Re-election==

==2022 Re-election==In the primary held on March 1, 2022, former State Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and outgoing [[U.S. Representative]] [[Louie Gohmert]] of [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]] finished in third and fourth place, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/louie-gohmert-republican-lawmaker-who-downplayed-the-insurrection-wants-to-be-the-top-law-enforcement-officer-in-texas/ar-AAR1jMm?ocid=msedgntp|title=Louie Gohmert: Republican lawmaker who downplayed the insurrection wants to be the top law enforcement officer in Texas|publisher=msn.com|date=November 23, 2021|author=Devan Cole|accessdate=November 24, 2021}}</ref>

In the primary held on March 1, 2022, former State Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and outgoing [[U.S. Representative]] [[Louie Gohmert]] of [[Tyler, Texas|Tyler]] finished in third and fourth place, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/louie-gohmert-republican-lawmaker-who-downplayed-the-insurrection-wants-to-be-the-top-law-enforcement-officer-in-texas/ar-AAR1jMm?ocid=msedgntp|title=Louie Gohmert: Republican lawmaker who downplayed the insurrection wants to be the top law enforcement officer in Texas|publisher=msn.com|date=November 23, 2021|author=Devan Cole|accessdate=November 24, 2021}}</ref>

Paxton won renomination to a third term in the Republican [[primary]] runoff held on May 24, 2022, when he handily defeated the outgoing state Land Commissioner [[George P. Bush]], the son of the [[Moderate Republican]] former [[Florida]] [[Governor]] [[Jeb Bush]] and uncle of the Moderate Republican former [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]]. In the 2022 runoff, Paxton polled 630,064 votes (68 percent) to Bush's 297,025 (32 percent). Paxton then faced the challenge from [[liberal]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] attorney general nominee Rochelle Mercedes Garza, a former attorney with the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] from [[Brownsville]] who graduated from [[Brown University]] in [[Providence]], [[Rhode Island]] and then obtained her law degree in 2011 from the University of Houston. Notwithstanding issues surrounding him, Paxton won re-election to this third term in office.

Paxton won renomination to a third term in the Republican [[primary]] runoff held on May 24, 2022, when he handily defeated the outgoing state Land Commissioner [[George P. Bush]], the son of the [[Moderate Republican]] former [[Florida]] [[Governor]] [[Jeb Bush]] and uncle of the Moderate Republican former [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]]. In the 2022 runoff, Paxton polled 630,064 votes (68 percent) to Bush's 297,025 (32 percent). Paxton then faced the challenge from [[liberal]] [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] attorney general nominee Rochelle Mercedes Garza, a former attorney with the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] from [[Brownsville]] who graduated from [[Brown University]] in [[Providence]], [[Rhode Island]] and then obtained her law degree in 2011 from the University of Houston. Notwithstanding issues surrounding him, Paxton won re-election to this third term in office.

==2026 Senate Election==

==2026 Senate Election==

Ken Paxton is running as a Republican in the November 3 Senate race in Texas against Democrat [[James Talarico]]. Currently, most polls favor Talarico (even those which are neutral or favor Republicans), due in large part to many Christian voters either not supporting either candidate out of true conscience, or (in lesser numbers) supporting Ted Brown (the [[Libertarian Party]] candidate). He is currently being called "Pen Paxton" by Talarico -- after evidence that Paxton stole a $1,000 pen from a security area inside the Collin County Courthouse -- in response to Paxton's use of "Talafreako" to describe the progressive Democrat.

Ken Paxton is running as a Republican in the November 3 Senate race in Texas against Democrat [[James Talarico]]. Currently, most polls favor Talarico (even those which are neutral or favor Republicans), due in large part to many Christian voters not supporting either candidate out of true conscience, or (in lesser numbers) supporting Ted Brown (the [[Libertarian Party]] candidate). He is currently being called "Pen Paxton" by Talarico -- after evidence that Paxton stole a $1,000 pen from a security area inside the Collin County Courthouse -- in response to Paxton's use of "Talafreako" to describe the progressive Democrat.

==Investigation into Abuse of Position==

==Investigation into Abuse of Position==

In March 2023, the House General Investigating Committee announced an investigation into what it termed secretly at the time to be "Matter A". There was no justification for the secrecy other than to conceal it from the public that had recently voted Paxton into office by a wide margin.

In March 2023, the House General Investigating Committee announced an investigation into what it termed secretly at the time to be "Matter A". There was no justification for the secrecy other than to conceal it from the public that had recently voted Paxton into office by a wide margin.

In late May 2023, the deceptive Committee released belatedly to the public that the subject of "Matter A" was, in fact, Paxton. The matter involved a request by Paxton that the Legislature approve payment of a $3.3 million settlement involving four whistleblower staff members that Paxton had called "rogue employees".

In late May 2023, the deceptive Committee released belatedly to the public that the subject of "Matter A" was, in fact, Paxton. The matter involved a request by Paxton that the Legislature approve payment of a $3.3 million settlement involving four whistleblower staff members whom Paxton had called "rogue employees".

On the 24th of that month the Committee heard the results of its investigating attorneys. Among the allegations was that Paxton used his office to benefit a campaign donor by, among other things, 1) intervening in a lawsuit involving a charitable organization suing the donor for fraud, and then attempting to force the organization to settle for a fraction of the amount requested in the suit, 2) allegedly providing details of a search warrant to identify the people involved in a federal raid on the donor's business, and 3) attempting to interfere in a planned foreclosure on several properties owned by the donor by claiming that such sales were prevented by COVID-19 restrictions against "public gatherings" (while simultaneously chastising local governments for attempts to use COVID-19 as a basis for restricting public gatherings such as church worship services).

On the 24th of that month, the Committee heard the results of its investigating attorneys. Among the allegations was that Paxton used his office to benefit a campaign donor by, among other things, 1) intervening in a lawsuit involving a charitable organization suing the donor for fraud, and then attempting to force the organization to settle for a fraction of the amount requested in the suit, 2) allegedly providing details of a search warrant to identify the people involved in a federal raid on the donor's business, and 3) attempting to interfere in a planned foreclosure on several properties owned by the donor by claiming that such sales were prevented by COVID-19 restrictions against "public gatherings" (while simultaneously chastising local governments for attempts to use COVID-19 as a basis for restricting public gatherings such as church worship services).

Afterwards, in response, Paxton called for the resignation of state House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]] after the media reported (and a video confirmed) that Phelan appeared inebriated while presiding over the House.<ref>Video clips of the incident are widely circulated.  It should be known that the incident took place on May 11, 2023, the 122nd day of the Regular Session, when all bills originating in the House (excluding those on the Local and Consent Calendar) must either receive a vote by midnight or be considered dead.  The Democrats, as usual, engaged in the regular practice of [[chubbing]], so as to slow down the process; by the time of the incident the daily session has been going on for 14 hours and a particular bill was on its 23rd amendment; it has been argued that Phelan's actions were the result of fatigue.</ref> Paxton also said that Phelan has repeatedly blocked many conservative measures in the House which were already approved in the state Senate under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thelibertydaily.com/ken-paxton-calls-on-texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan-to-resign-after-debilitating-intoxication/|title=Ken Paxton Calls on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan to Resign After “Debilitating Intoxication”|author=J. D. Rucker|date=May 23, 2023|accessdate=May 24, 2023}}</ref>

Afterwards, in response, Paxton called for the resignation of state House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]] after the media reported (and a video confirmed) that Phelan appeared inebriated while presiding over the House.<ref>Video clips of the incident are widely circulated.  It should be known that the incident took place on May 11, 2023, the 122nd day of the Regular Session, when all bills originating in the House (excluding those on the Local and Consent Calendar) must either receive a vote by midnight or be considered dead.  The Democrats, as usual, engaged in the regular practice of [[chubbing]], so as to slow down the process; by the time of the incident the daily session has been going on for 14 hours and a particular bill was on its 23rd amendment; it has been argued that Phelan's actions were the result of fatigue.</ref> Paxton also said that Phelan has repeatedly blocked many conservative measures in the House which were already approved in the state Senate under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thelibertydaily.com/ken-paxton-calls-on-texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan-to-resign-after-debilitating-intoxication/|title=Ken Paxton Calls on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan to Resign After “Debilitating Intoxication”|author=J. D. Rucker|date=May 23, 2023|accessdate=May 24, 2023}}</ref>

On May 25, the Committee unanimously adopted articles of impeachment against Paxton, recommending his removal from office. The Committee chair brought forth the resolution containing the impeachment articles at 1PM on Saturday, May 27, 2023; the Texas House voted 121-63 (with two members Present Not Voting, and three members absent, but only one with an excused absence) to impeach. A total of 60 Republicans, some of whom are [[RINO]]s while others feared retaliation against themselves by the [[dark money]] [[oligarch]]s, voted for the rushed impeachment. The Texas Senate held a trial to remove Paxton from office (which would also make him permanently ineligible for any other state or local office). A 2/3 vote of the 31 members was required; although a majority voted to remove, it did not reach the 2/3 requirement.

On May 25, the Committee unanimously adopted articles of impeachment against Paxton, recommending his removal from office. The Committee chair brought forth the resolution containing the impeachment articles at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023; the Texas House voted 121-63 (with two members Present Not Voting, and three members absent, but only one with an excused absence) to impeach. A total of 60 Republicans, some of whom are [[RINO]]s while others feared retaliation against themselves by the [[dark money]] [[oligarch]]s, voted for the rushed impeachment. The Texas Senate held a trial to remove Paxton from office (which would also make him permanently ineligible for any other state or local office). A 2/3 vote of the 31 members was required; although a majority voted to remove, it did not reach the 2/3 requirement.

==References==

==References==