Staff Reports
In Texas, the saying “everything is bigger” now applies to a Texas-sized turmoil within the Republican Party following Tuesday’s primary election. Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton went head-to-head in a battle of revenge, aiming to bring down incumbent Republicans they saw as disloyal. It was like a wild west shootout, except with attack ads and campaign stops.
Paxton set his sights on Republicans who dared to impeach him last year, while Abbott went after lawmakers who obstructed his plan to use public funds for private and religious school tuition. These two titans weren’t just clashing with their targets but also pinning each other against a wall. It was a political free-for-all, with both leaders pushing and shoving to get their way.
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following statement regarding the victory of endorsed judges, David Schenck, Gina Parker, and Lee Finley, in the Court of Criminal Appeals.
"Tonight, Texans have spoken loud and clear. The victory of Judges David Schenck, Gina Parker, and…— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 6, 2024
At least nine House Republicans, backed by either Abbott or Paxton, fell in the primaries. Eight others, including House Speaker Dade Phelan, found themselves in runoffs scheduled for the end of May. Some of the incumbents Abbott supported, who also happened to vouch for his school voucher proposal, were the ones who stood against Paxton’s impeachment. This set up a Texas-sized showdown between the two heavyweights.
To spice things up, big-name Republicans like former President Donald Trump and former Governor Rick Perry threw their weight behind different candidates, adding more fuel to the fire. Abbott poured a whopping $6 million into his campaign to oust the defiant House Republicans, making over 50 campaign stops in a relentless effort to make them bite the dust. Talk about leaving no stone unturned!
Paxton, on the other hand, had less luck in his mission to boot out House incumbents who supported his impeachment woes. Only a handful of the opponents he endorsed emerged victorious. Yet, he managed to push Phelan into a nail-biting runoff, proving he’s not backing down without a fight.
In a particularly satisfying turn of events for Paxton, his efforts paid off in unseating a lawmaker who played a role in his impeachment last year. It was a sweet victory in the midst of a heated battle.
But that’s not all! Paxton didn’t stop at targeting House Republicans. He took aim at three Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges, accusing them of being “activist judges.” His message to them and all others who tried to trip him up was loud and clear: Texans won’t stand for it.
Paxton, who’s also facing some legal drama of his own, isn’t about to back down. He sees the glass not just half full, but overflowing, ready to hold those who crossed him accountable. The stage is set for an epic showdown, and the drama in Texas politics doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. It’s like a never-ending rodeo, and everyone’s holding on for dear life. Yee-haw!
