Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign launch has sparked controversy over Texas ethics laws as his advertisement featuring uniformed police officers may violate state regulations on using government resources for political purposes.
Quick Takes
- Paxton’s campaign video shows uniformed Collin County police officers, potentially violating Texas ethics laws prohibiting the use of public resources in political advertising
- Texas Ethics Commission regulations specifically restrict the use of government-issued uniforms in campaign materials unless personally purchased by the officers
- Similar ethics violations have occurred in previous campaigns, including a 2020 ad by Senator John Cornyn, whom Paxton is challenging
- The primary battle represents a significant division within the Republican Party, with Cornyn backed by GOP leadership and Paxton supported by Trump allies
- Paxton enters the race despite recent controversies, including impeachment proceedings and a $6.6 million judgment in a whistleblower lawsuit
Ethics Concerns Over Police Appearances
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recently launched Senate campaign has come under scrutiny for potentially violating state ethics laws. His campaign advertisement features uniformed police officers from Collin County, raising questions about the legality of using government resources for political purposes. Texas law explicitly prohibits the use of public funds for political advertising, which extends to government-issued uniforms unless they were personally purchased by the officers appearing in the ad.
Ethics expert Craig Holman explained the potential violation, stating, “From what I understand, the police is not supposed to be using those uniforms in any sort of public display beyond their own professional services.” Neither the Paxton campaign nor Collin County Constable precincts have responded to requests for comment on whether the officers owned their uniforms or if they were county property, a critical distinction for determining if an ethics violation occurred.
Precedent and Enforcement
This situation isn’t without precedent in Texas politics. Similar ethics concerns arose during Senator John Cornyn’s 2020 campaign when his advertisement featured uniformed officers. Similar violations have occurred across party lines, with Democrat Colin Allred using uniformed law enforcement officials in his Senate campaign against Ted Cruz, and Republican Chris Pappas facing similar scrutiny in New Hampshire recently.
“Apparent violations of ethics laws are not uncommon among politicians in both parties across the country. Last year, former Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) used uniformed local law enforcement officials in an ad for his Senate campaign against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).” – Source
While the Texas Ethics Commission has the authority to impose civil fines for such violations, enforcement has been inconsistent. Paxton’s own office has a history of not enforcing these breaches, creating an unusual dynamic where the Attorney General could potentially face sanctions from a commission that his office has historically been reluctant to support in similar cases against others.
A High-Stakes Republican Primary Battle
The ethics controversy comes amid what promises to be a contentious primary battle representing different factions of the Republican Party. “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a primary challenge against longtime Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday night, setting the stage for a battle between two politicians representing different parts of the Republican Party,” reported NBC News.
Cornyn, a three-term senator, has the backing of the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, while Paxton has secured endorsements from Representatives Lance Gooden and Troy Nehls. Senator Ted Cruz has remained neutral in the developing contest. The primary represents a significant test for both the establishment and MAGA wings of the Republican Party in a seat considered safely Republican for the general election.
Paxton’s Controversial Background
Paxton enters the Senate race carrying significant political baggage. He recently faced impeachment on charges of abusing his office, though he was ultimately acquitted by the state Senate. A Texas judge awarded $6.6 million to four whistleblowers from his office who filed a lawsuit alleging retaliation. He has also faced securities fraud charges and was involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, which led to a state bar investigation.
Despite these controversies, Paxton has maintained strong support among the conservative base, particularly for his legal challenges to the Biden administration. His campaign appears to be positioning these controversies as evidence of his willingness to fight against political opponents, potentially turning what would normally be liabilities into assets with certain voter segments who view these challenges as politically motivated attacks.
Sources:
- Ken Paxton may have run afoul of Texas ethics laws with Senate campaign launch
- Texas’ Ken Paxton hopes to parlay multiple scandals into a GOP Senate campaign
