Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton survived a historic Senate vote on Saturday that would have made him the state’s first official convicted on impeachment charges in more than 100 years.
A jury of 30 senators voted on whether to convict Paxton on any of the 16 articles of impeachment that accused the staunch conservative of bribery, corruption and unfitness for office.
After a two-week trial, Senate lawmakers deliberated in private for about eight hours, starting early Friday afternoon until 8 p.m. local time, and reconvening at 9 a.m. Saturday.
State Rep. Andrew Murr, a Republican who helped lead the impeachment of the state’s top lawyer earlier this year, explained in his closing arguments why Paxton should be removed from office.
“If we don’t keep public officials from abusing the powers of their office, then frankly no one can,” he said.
Paxton’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, suggested in his angry rebuttal that “this is a political witch hunt,” and that “this trial has displayed, for the country to see, a partisan fight within the Republican Party.”
Paxton — an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump — was hit with multiple allegations in May, including that he attempted to cover up his affair, illegally used his position to benefit a donor, and used his office for retaliation. In order to be removed from his position, he needed to be convicted on at least one article of impeachment by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
The Texas Senate has 31 lawmakers — 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats — but only 30 of them were allowed to vote. Angela Paxton, the attorney general’s wife, is a Republican senator but was barred from participating in the vote.
Following Paxton’s acquittal of all 16 charges, Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott released a statement saying Paxton “received a fair trial” and that he looks forward to continuing to “work with him to secure the border and protect Texas from federal overreach.”
The jury has spoken.
Attorney General Ken Paxton received a fair trial as required by the Texas Constitution.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Attorney General to secure the border and protect Texas from federal overreach. pic.twitter.com/OQo0XHIVWj
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 16, 2023
Here’s how the Senate voted on each article:
Disregard of Official Duty
Article 1 – Protection of charitable organization: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 2 – Abuse of the opinion process: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 3 – Abuse of the open records process: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 4 – Misuse of official information: 2 to convict, 28 to acquit
Article 5 – Engagement of Brandon Cammack: 13 votes to convict, 17 to acquit
Article 6 – Termination of whistleblowers: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Misapplication of Public Resources
Article 7 – Whistleblower investigation and report: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Disregard of Official Duty
Article 8 – Settlement Agreement: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Constitutional Bribery
Article 9 – Nate Paul’s employment of a woman with whom Paxton has acknowledged having an affair: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 10 – Nate Paul’s providing renovations to Paxton home: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 11 – False Statements in Official Records: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 12 – Conspiracy and Attempted Conspiracy Result: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 13 – Misappropriation of Public Resources Result: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 14 – Dereliction of Duty Result: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 15 – Unfitness for Office: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
Article 16 – Abuse of Public Trust: 14 votes to convict, 16 to acquit
With News Wire Services
Muri Assunção
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