AUSTIN – If character is more important than politics, then how should Republicans judge Ken Paxton? Two Texas House Republicans who supported Ken Paxton’s impeachment three years ago over allegations of bribery and abuse of office now find themselves on opposite sides of his bid for the Senate.
Divergent Views
Rep. Cole Hefner of East Texas and former state Rep. Glenn Rogers of Palo Pinto County watched the same impeachment proceedings against the attorney general, heard the same accusations, and saw the state Senate acquit him. They just don’t agree on what should come next for Paxton.
The divergent takes between Hefner and Rogers center on the question now confronting Republicans in the Senate race: whether Paxton’s conservative record outweighs the legal and ethics controversies that have dogged his political career.
Support and Opposition
Hefner, despite being targeted by Paxton-backed efforts after he supported impeachment, said he can’t imagine backing the Democratic Senate candidate, James Talarico, a state representative from Austin. His support for Paxton in November, he said, will be ‘an easy vote.’ ‘I don’t think politics are above character,’ Hefner said in an interview. ‘But the policy stances of these two people are quite clear, and they’re very different paths for Texas and for the United States.’
Rogers agrees with most of Paxton’s conservative policies. But Paxton and Abbott accused him in 2024 of being too cozy with Democrats because of his impeachment vote and opposition to private school vouchers. He lost his GOP primary after two terms. Rogers rejects the idea of sending Paxton to represent Texas in Washington.
‘Character is more important than party, and if it’s not, then we’re in trouble as a nation,’ Rogers said. ‘I cannot trust Ken Paxton. I’ll never trust Ken Paxton. I’ll never vote for him. I’ll never support him.’
Contrasting Perspectives
The contrast comes as Republicans gather this week in Houston for a state convention likely to showcase Paxton’s standing with the party’s conservative base. Paxton has long been a polarizing figure in GOP politics, surviving a federal securities fraud case and the impeachment effort led by fellow Republicans.
Former aides accused Paxton of abusing his office to help thwart an FBI investigation into Austin real estate investor and campaign donor Nate Paul in exchange for a home kitchen remodel and a job for a woman with whom Paxton allegedly had an affair.
Paxton easily defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn in last month’s GOP runoff, shrugging off attacks on his legal and personal troubles. Paxton’s victory has left many Republicans in an awkward position.
Among the 60 House Republicans who voted for impeachment, some have endorsed him for Senate. None who still hold office have publicly opposed his campaign. Nearly two dozen declined to discuss the race with The Dallas Morning News.
For Republicans, the decision is no longer whether he should have been impeached. It’s what to do now. Support Paxton. Vote for Talarico, who has appealed to Cornyn supporters to join his coalition. Look elsewhere, such as Libertarian Ted Brown. Or stay home in November.
Hefner said he accepted the Senate’s verdict and moved on. ‘We followed that process according to the Constitution and the laws, and he was not convicted,’ he said. ‘So we honor that process, and we move forward with what’s best for our state and our country.’
Rogers sees it differently. He said he doesn’t understand how some impeachment Republicans now stand with Paxton. ‘I don’t respect changing from basically going after him to now supporting him,’ he said. ‘That makes no sense to me. That’s their decision. It won’t be mine.’
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
