Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a far-right Republican facing corruption allegations, suffered a blow as a Texas judge awarded $6.6 million to four whistleblowers from his office who accused him of crimes and abuses, including bribery. Despite vowing to appeal, Paxton launched a U.S. Senate campaign just three days after the judgment.
This move, challenging longtime Senator John Cornyn, reflects a trend in Republican politics where scandal-plagued figures like Paxton seek higher office. Paxton had faced felony charges in a securities fraud case last year and was investigated by the state bar for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. He was also accused of abusing his office, hiding an affair, and retaliating against opponents by former aides.
While Paxton was acquitted in a state Senate impeachment trial, his decision to run for Senate highlights the post-scandal nature of the Republican Party. Despite his troubled history, Paxton’s candidacy could prove successful given his support for former President Donald Trump and criticisms of Cornyn.
As the White House potentially considers intervening in the Texas primary, Trump has not yet commented on the race between Cornyn and Paxton. However, with Paxton’s history of corruption and controversy, his Senate bid underscores the current state of Republican politics and the willingness of some members of the party to overlook scandal in favor of loyalty and power.
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