kevin paxton attorney general

How long was Paxton in the Senate?

Paxton was in the Texas State Senate from 2013 until January 2015 when his term as Attorney General began.

Who sued Paxton?

Paxton sued the Obama administration over a new rule by the United States Department of Labor which would make five million additional workers eligible for overtime pay. The new rule would mean workers earning up to an annual salary of $47,500 would become eligible for overtime pay when working more than 40 hours per week. Paxton has said the new regulations "may lead to disastrous consequences for our economy." Along with Texas, twenty other states have joined the lawsuit.

What did Paxton say about the border wall?

In 2017, Paxton voiced support for the application of eminent domain to obtain right-of-way along the Rio Grande in Texas for construction of the border wall advocated by President Donald Trump as a means to curtail illegal immigration. Paxton said that private landowners must receive a fair price when property is taken for the pending construction. He said that the wall serves "a public purpose providing safety to people not only along the border, but to the entire nation. ... I want people to be treated fairly, so they shouldn't just have their land taken from them," but there must be just compensation.

How much did Paxton raise in 2016?

Paxton took office on January 5, 2015. Paxton's campaign raised $945,000 in the first half of 2016, leaving Paxton with just under $3 million in his campaign account for a potential 2018 re-election bid.

What did Paxton say about Obama's deferred action?

Paxton led a coalition of twenty-six states challenging President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) executive action, which granted deferred action status to certain undocumented immigrants who had lived in the United States since 2010 and had children who were American citizens or lawful permanent residents. Paxton argued that the president should not be allowed to "unilaterally rewrite congressional laws and circumvent the people's representatives." The Supreme Court heard the case, United States v. Texas, and issued a split 4-4 ruling in the case in June 2016. Because of the split ruling, a 2015 lower-court ruling invalidating Obama's plan was left in place. In July 2017, Paxton led a group of Republican Attorneys General and Idaho Governor Butch Otter in threatening the Trump administration that they would litigate if the president did not terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that had been put into place by president Barack Obama, although never implemented in Texas because of legal action on behalf of the state. The other Attorneys General who joined in making the threats to Trump included Steve Marshall of Alabama, Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Lawrence Wasden of Idaho, Derek Schmidt of Kansas, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Doug Peterson of Nebraska, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, and Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia.

What did Paxton sue for?

Paxton initiated a lawsuit seeking to have the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) ruled unconstitutional in its entirety.

How much did Volkswagen pay Texas?

In June 2016, it was announced that Volkswagen would pay the state of Texas $50 million in relation to the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Paxton had sued the company in 2015 in connection with the automaker's admitted use of software that allowed its vehicles to circumvent emissions limits.

What is the role of the Attorney General of Texas?

The Office of the Attorney General serves as a major support agency for Texas prosecutors and local law enforcement. Whether through police officer training and reports initiatives at schools or litigation in the courtroom, the Attorney General plays an important role in keeping Texans safe.

Who sued companies for price gouging?

Protecting Texans During Hurricane Harvey. Attorney General Ken Paxton sued companies who engaged in price gouging and those taking advantage of Texans in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Read More.

Is securing our borders a priority?

As threats from violent drug cartels creep across our borders, it’s a stark reminder that securing our borders is not very high on our federal government’s list of priorities. As Attorney General, I am making it a top priority to work with the Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement officials, and the executive cabinet…

Is Texas being attacked by job creators?

Texas’ job creators are being attacked in a very real way. Employers are put at risk from the job-killing regulations of the EPA, mountains of regulations, health care fines, and more. Increasingly, business owners are making more and more of their hiring decisions based on potential government regulation. This is wrong.

Does the Attorney General fight back?

The Office of the Attorney General is not only able to fight back , but I believe it has a moral obligation to defend the rights of citizens who choose to peacefully observe their faith traditions. The Founders knew citizens must be allowed to believe and practice their faith without fear of persecution from their government,…

Who is Ken Paxton?

Paxton's lawyer said: "No comment at this time.". Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks as Washington, DC Attorney General Karl Racine (L) listens at a news conference in front of the Supreme Court September 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. Paxton is under investigation by the FBI for claims he received renovations to his home in return ...

How many times did Paxton intervene?

According to reports last year, Paxton intervened at least four times on a range of legal matters involving or helpful to Paul. On one occasion, top agency attorneys allegedly pushed a charity to agree to a greatly reduced settlement in a financial dispute with a company owned by Paul.

Is the FBI investigating Ken Paxton?

The FBI is reportedly widening its investigation into Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after new details in claims by former staffers that he helped a real estate developer in return for renovations to his million-dollar home and a job for his alleged mistress. Last fall, a number of senior staffers accused Texas's highest-ranking attorney ...

Did Austin contractor get subpoena?

At least one Austin contractor has received a subpoena for records—including receipts, invoices and communications—relating to work on Paxton's home, according to Associated Press. The subpoena calls for the contractor to testify before a grand jury. Paxton's spokesman denied he acted illegally.

Who endorsed Paxton?

Trump endorsed Paxton in late July after Bush spent weeks vying for the former president’s support. Bush has accused Paxton of misleading Trump to secure his endorsement, a point that the land commissioner reiterated in his interview, claiming Paxton “wasn’t exactly forthright with his legal challenges to the president or his team.” At the same time, Bush said Jake Ellzey ’s recent election to Congress — against a Trump-backed opponent —shows there is “still a very wide pathway for a Republican in a primary as long as you are for many of the policies of [Trump] and you reach out to his supporters.”

Who is running against Paxton?

As he seeks a third term, Paxton is being challenged by fellow Republicans George P. Bush, the land commissioner; Eva Guzman, a former state Supreme Court justice; and Matt Krause, a state representative from Fort Worth. Bush and Guzman have been running since June, while Krause entered the race last week, saying he did not think Bush or Guzman was capable of taking out the incumbent.

Why did Krause run for the GOP primary?

He has said he decided to run in the primary because he was not seeing Bush or Guzman resonate with rank-and-file GOP voters. He reiterated that in his interview, saying it does not seem there has been “anyone who’s really kind of connected with the grassroots.”

What did Paxton say to Krause?

During a radio interview after Krause launched his bid, Paxton said he had talked in advance with the state lawmaker, a onetime ally, and told him, “I got shot in the back by my own guy [s]” — referring to his former staff members — “ and you’re telling me now that you should leave me for the bad guys to destroy.”

Why was Paxton indicted?

Paxton has been indicted on securities fraud charges since his first months in office six years ago. He more recently came under FBI investigation over allegations by some of his former deputies that he abused his office to aid a wealthy donor. He has denied wrongdoing in both cases, while painting his primary foes as ambitious politicians who are doing the bidding of Democrats and making it harder for the GOP to hold the key office next year.

When did Guzman's law license become inactive?

She has drawn attention to the fact that he chose to classify his law license as inactive in 2010 and did not reinstate it as active until last year.

Does Paxton still support Trump?

Regardless of the individual strengths of the primary challengers, Paxton still has the backing of Trump, who remains highly popular with Republican voters. Paxton mentioned the former president three times in a four-sentence statement responding to Krause’s candidacy last week.

News

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About KEN PAXTON

Ken Paxton is the 51st Attorney General of Texas. He was elected on November 4, 2014, and sworn into office on January 5, 2015.

Overview

Background

Texas legislature

Attorney General elections

Attorney General of Texas (2015–present)

Legal issues