Ken Paxton
Ken Paxton Jr., Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr., W. Kenneth Paxton Jr., Warren Kenneth Paxton, Jr., Ken Paxton, Jr.
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Who is this?
Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. (born December 23, 1962) is an American politician and lawyer who has served as the attorney general of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Texas Senate representing the eighth district and as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Paxton was first elected attorney general in 2014, rising to power as an ally of the Tea Party movement, and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. Paxton has been described as a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, and as an ultraconservative or far-right politician. After Joe Biden won the 2020 U.S. presidential election and Trump refused to concede while making unfounded claims of election fraud, Paxton aided Trump in his efforts to overturn the result. He filed the unsuccessful Texas v. Pennsylvania case in the U.S. Supreme Court and spoke at the rally Trump held on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., that preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Throughout the course of Biden's presidency, Paxton pursued legal action against the administration 106 times. In 2015, Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges relating to activities before taking office; he pleaded not guilty. Upon fulfilling a pretrial agreement for restitution to the victims, ethics training, and community service the charges were dismissed in 2025. In October 2020, several high-level assistants in Paxton's office accused him of "bribery, abuse of office and other crimes". In May 2023, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives by a vote of 121–23, leading to his suspension. The articles of impeachment included allegations that Paxton gave preferential treatment to a political donor who bribed him, misapplied public resources and made false statements against whistleblowers, obstructed justice in the securities fraud trial against him, and made false statements regarding his financial interests. In September 2023, the Texas Senate voted 16–14 to acquit Paxton of all articles of impeachment, ending his suspension from office. In 2023, federal prosecuters initiated a separate investigation into the same legal issues, but in 2025, shortly after the Trump Administration took office, the Department of Justice declined to prosecute Paxton. Paxton announced in April 2025 that he would run for the United States Senate in the 2026 election, challenging incumbent senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary.
Career
- 1962Born
- Member of Omicron Delta Kappa
Trivia
- •Place of birth: Minot
- •Citizenship: United States
- •Known as: lawyer, politician, business consultant
- •Spouse: Angela Paxton
What happened recently
Texas AG Ken Paxton investigates food manufacturers over "heart healthy" labeling
Talarico notches 3-point lead over Paxton in new poll as GOP fears grow over Texas Senate race
Paxton lawsuit prompts end of federal endangered species protection for Texas lizard
This poll result should panic Paxton — and it’s not just that he’s losing | Opinion
US Senate hopeful Ken Paxton unveils economic plan focused on granting new tax breaks
Ken Paxton launches investigation into two South Texas hospitals over 'birth tourism' claims
Years of scandals haven't stopped Ken Paxton. Can James Talarico change that?
Ken Paxton Touts His Efforts to Fight Voter Fraud. His Senate Opponent Is Now Accusing Him of Committing It.
Talarico is Handcuffed to his Record: Ken Paxton Fort Worth Press Conference
Talarico, Paxton discuss border security at campaign stops in "critically important" South Texas
Cody Campbell waves off Ken Paxton donation, says he could make 'nefarious deal' elsewhere
Texas Democrats Ask for Investigation Into Ken Paxton After Our Reporting Found He May Have Violated Election Law
Ken Paxton’s campaign says he will debate James Talarico in Texas’ U.S. Senate race
Cody Campbell donated to Ken Paxton. Soon after, the Texas AG threatened Big 12
Texas Tech booster donated to Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign before AG’s $200M Brendan Sorsby warning to Big 12
Texas Tech booster donated $274K one day before Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Brendan Sorsby letter
Collin County Dems want state to investigate whether Ken Paxton violated Texas election law
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