Ken Paxton’s Legal Challenges in Texas Senate Race

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate in a key Senate race, faced scrutiny over past scandals during a recent Fox News appearance. On Thursday, during a live broadcast from the GOP’s first midterm convention in Dallas, host Bret Baier discussed Paxton’s legal and political issues.

Baier highlighted how Paxton’s opponent, Democratic state Representative James Talarico, often emphasizes these issues during his campaign. Baier recounted Paxton’s troubles while Fox News displayed graphics detailing the allegations:

• Indicted for securities fraud in 2015, with charges dropped after a pretrial agreement in 2024.
• Federal fraud charges announced in 2016, later dismissed by a federal judge in 2017.
• Accused by staff in 2020 of accepting bribes and abusing office power.
• Impeached by the Republican Texas House in 2023 for alleged misuse of power; acquitted by the Texas Senate of all impeachment articles the same year.
• Ordered to pay $6.6 million to four employees in 2025 for violating the Texas Whistleblower Act.

These issues are central as Paxton remains in a tight race that might influence Senate control. Democrats see Talarico’s challenge as a rare opportunity to win in traditionally Republican Texas. As Democrats aim for four Senate seats, competitive races are emerging in Texas and other conservative areas. Republicans face challenges amid midterm trends and declining approval ratings for former President Trump. Newsweek has contacted both campaigns for comments.

Paxton Addresses Concerns

During the interview, Baier asked Paxton for his response to concerned voters. Paxton compared his experiences to Trump’s, stating, “When you’re fighting, they come after you.” He noted parallels with Trump’s multiple indictments and impeachments.

Despite Trump’s legal challenges, he secured a second presidential term in 2024. In May 2024, a New York jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records related to payments made before the 2016 election. Other cases have been dropped, resolved, or delayed, but a judge recently denied Trump’s attempt to overturn his conviction. Trump’s two impeachments, during his first term, led to his Senate acquittals each time.