Paxton Has to Go
Being a political pundit is not easy these days. Voter support for some candidates makes no sense Zohran Mamdani in New York City makes no sense. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota makes no logical sense. Even Trump’s second win made no sense. But they all happened.
Looking at the Texas Senate race, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s makes no sense. He fell short of winning the Republican primary but got enough votes to force a runoff with 4-term Senator John Cornyn.
Folks, the Texas Republican Senate primary just delivered what no one (except Democrats) wanted — a bloody May 26 runoff between incumbent Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. As of this writing, President Trump has not made his anticipated endorsement, but it is expected to be for John Cornyn — as it should. The smart money – and whispers from GOP insiders – say Trump will back the steady hand over the walking ethics nightmare. And he should have done it yesterday.
Paxton would be a very bad choice for the Senate – or any other office that requires a shred of credibility. This guy is scandal flypaper — the kind that turns winnable races into nail-biters and potentially hands Democrats their best shot at flipping a red stronghold they have not touched since 1988.
Let us run down Paxton’s greatest hits, shall we? Paxton has been dogged by allegations of securities fraud since 2015 – having duped investors in a tech startup. He finally settled in 2024, paying penalties and doing community service. Then came the 2023 impeachment by the GOP-controlled Texas House on charges of bribery, abuse of power, and obstruction – all tied to helping a donor in exchange for favors. The state Senate acquitted him, but only after a trial that exposed an extramarital affair (with a woman whose husband donated to him) and other sleaze that made even some liberals blush.
Fast-forward to 2025. Paxton’s wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce on “biblical grounds,” citing adultery and other “recent discoveries.” Reports swirled about yet another affair – this time with a married Christian influencer and mother of seven.
Then came mortgage fraud whispers. The Paxtons allegedly claimed multiple homes as primary residences to dodge taxes and save on loans. (seems to be the crime du jour for politicians). Add endless ethics complaints, misuse of his AG office for personal vendettas, and filing dubious partisan lawsuits (suing over everything from school districts to Muslim organizations), and spreading debunked election fraud claims that even courts laughed out of the room.
This is not “fighting the establishment” – this is a pattern of corruption, hypocrisy, and self-dealing that would make a Chicago ward boss jealous. Paxton markets himself as a MAGA warrior, but his baggage is so heavy it could sink a Titanic.
Paxton has indicated a willingness to withdraw but only if the Senate abolished the filibuster (bad idea) and enacts voter ID (good idea). The gall of the guy – trying to push legislation in a chamber in which he is not even a member and unfit to serve. It is arrogant and reeks of the same power-hungry attitude that got him impeached in the first place.
If Paxton were to win the runoff, he significantly improves the Democrats’ chance of taking the seat – and even staying in the race, he could weaken Cornyn and the entire GOP ticket in November.
Paxton is an albatross around the neck of the GOP. His scandals are tailor-made for attack ads. “Ken Paxton – impeached, adulterous, fraudster AG who puts himself first.” In a general election against a Democrat like James Talarico, who just crushed Jasmine Crockett in the Democrat primary, Paxton’s toxicity could turn Texas purple for the first time in decades. Some GOP voters may not be enthused with Cronyn , but Paxton? Too much drama, too much sleaze.
Trump should quickly endorse Cornyn and Paxton should immediately withdraw without conditions. No grandstanding demands. No hostage-taking. Just step aside, let the party unify and save Texas from becoming the next battleground embarrassment.
This is not about punishing Paxton – it is about winning. Republicans have Texas locked up if they nominate someone who is not a perpetual scandal. Paxton is a liability wrapped in bravado. Trump knows it, the base knows it deep down. The GOP, Texas and the country can ill afford another self-inflicted wound.
Time to end the circus. Endorsement now, withdrawal now – or watch Democrats laugh all the way to November.
So, there ‘tis.
My goodness, I don’t often agree with your logical premise, but you got this one right.
Reminds me of a time I was up for jury duty, horrid crime: breaking, entering, robbery, murder, rape, burning it all, and he had done similar before. And she was over 70. 100 jurors, very careful judge. I passed the first round, didn’t throw up at least. Then voir dire, this one was one in the witness chair in front of judge, lawyers, and the bad guy. As I was being questioned, the judge got a bug up his ass over my answer of “who would you trust more, a policeman or a priest to which I answered “policeman.” My logic was all were telling the truth but policeman better trained to witness evidence. The judge seem perturbed and started peppering me with what ifs like cop/scientist (scientist), cop/doctor (doctor), cop/social worker (cop) and now I was getting pissed at being pestered with the thought bubble: “I pay this guy’s salary…..” Then the lawyers laid in, not too bad until the prosecutor asked “would I believe a psychiatrist could explain behaviors and tell why this happened” to which I answered, “sure, just like an economist.” He said what? I answered, “sure, two months after the recession, economists will tell you exactly why it happened.” I see the prosecutor put his head down, “oh my, we got a thinker.” They don’t like that. And the defense guy is making an “he’s our boy,” fist pump under his desk. Bottom line: didn’t matter, I passed, was picked as juror 9 in the lottery, stayed until juror 12 selected, and then the defense cut me loose. I still remember that thought bubble, “don’t jump up and down gleefully, no happy dance, no smile, use the gate from the jury box, don’t jump over the rail. When I hit the hall there were ex-potential jurors bouncing off the walls doing the happy dance with a lone bailiff trying to restore order. Epilogue: a day before trial he pled out, it was all a judicial joke. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to server, I just didn’t want to lose months of my life for a guy so obviously guilty, and he was. I did the math on over 100 prospective jurors on day one, missing a day of work and going forward with 50 up to the lottery, and decided fair-and-equal treatment under the law was not cheap and there has to be a better way. Perhaps not, perhaps that’s life, just like the current political climate is just a natural ebb and flow of political life. I know it is for us as my generation, the boomers, ages out.
Relating to Larry’s story: sure, now that it’s over, I can tell you why Mamdani, Omar, AOC, Trump won or the other’s lost. Even called Harris a month or so before the vote based on “a feeling.” But as to how they got there or why they have a chance, I am lost and would say it’s a number of things, it’s different for every election, but it is clear that we are in an “us or them” environment where more points are scored for vanquishing the other guy than working with the other guy. While I think it will be a bloodbath, I cannot really pick the midterms — too much chaos, too many wild swings in short times. We still don’t know what Trump and company with do; but they seem to be hellbent to end the mail-in vote. That cancels my vote and, yes, I will be that upset. Wouldn’t you? All I can say is the Democratic 2028 Presidential will be a clown car special —- we have no standout leaders. I truly expect a white knight not on the board yet to emerge.
Good story, agree with the conclusion, but not sure Trump can pull the trigger to rig the election. He’s very busy right now, Hegseth is dancing a jig to justify killing 100 school kids as not our fault even if it’s our missile. Very busy.
Dunger on a jury??? The defendant was probably a democrat.
Sethisdung: actually he was your sister.
Larry, what you say is true-highly doubtful that Paxton would win a general election. However , it has been shown time and time again (yourself bring a perfect example) Republicans will vote for anyone if there is an R next to their name, no matter how much they lie, how totally unqualified they are, how ignorant they are. Republicans do not have the mental capacity to differentiate a snake oil salesman from a straight shooter (hence we get all those qualified conservatives designated RINO’s because they point out the emperor [trump, for those of the readers dimmer than even larry] and whoosh, they are out of government and we get all these ass suckers-afraid to speak out until they decide to retire). Until the Republican Party starts to attract educated voters, they will continue to elect people like trump and Paxton-neither of whom should have a decision making position in the country-instead we have illegal boat strikes, a totally unnecessary war in Iran (those are real people being killed due to trump and baby netanyahoo’s unrestrained egos) and potential war with Cuba (a country only suffering due to actions due to trump during his first and current term). Disgusting as always, but so predictable unfortunately….