
<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Folks, the Texas Republican Senate primary just delivered what no one (except Democrats) wanted &#8212; 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 &#8212; 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.</p>



<p>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 &#8212; 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Fast-forward to 2025. Paxton&#8217;s wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce on &#8220;biblical grounds,&#8221; citing adultery and other &#8220;recent discoveries.&#8221; Reports swirled about yet another affair – this time with a married Christian influencer and mother of seven.</p>



<p>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 <em>du jour</em> 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.</p>



<p>This is not &#8220;fighting the establishment&#8221; – 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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>If Paxton were to win the runoff, he significantly improves the Democrats&#8217; chance of taking the seat – and even staying in the race, he could weaken Cornyn and the entire GOP ticket in November.</p>



<p>Paxton is an albatross around the neck of the GOP. His scandals are tailor-made for attack ads. &#8220;Ken Paxton – impeached, adulterous, fraudster AG who puts himself first.&#8221; In a general election against a Democrat like James Talarico, who just crushed Jasmine Crockett in the Democrat primary, Paxton&#8217;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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Time to end the circus. Endorsement now, withdrawal now – or watch Democrats laugh all the way to November.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Paxton Has to Go
