Texas State Senator Angela Paxton, the wife of Attorney General Ken Paxton, has been barred from voting in her husband’s impeachment trial, according to a decision made by the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday. This ruling settles a question that has been looming over the Texas Capitol since Ken Paxton became the third sitting official to be impeached in the state’s nearly 200-year history.
Angela Paxton, who is also a Republican, had not previously stated whether she would recuse herself from voting in the trial. Her husband is facing charges that include abuse of power and accepting bribes. The trial is scheduled to begin on September 5th.
Under the rules, Angela Paxton is required to attend the proceedings but is prohibited from participating in any way, including closed sessions or deliberations. Although the rules do not explicitly mention Angela Paxton, they state that a spouse is “considered to have a conflict” under the Texas Constitution.
Angela Paxton has not publicly commented on the accusations against her husband, who is also under FBI investigation. Ken Paxton has criticized the impeachment as an attempt to disenfranchise Texas voters who elected him to a third term last year. He is currently suspended from office pending the outcome of the Senate trial.
Since being impeached in May by the state House, Ken Paxton has kept a low profile and has denied the accusations laid out in the 20 impeachment articles. Many of the charges revolve around Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, a Paxton donor who was recently indicted on charges of making false statements to banks.
In Texas, the leader of the Senate is the lieutenant governor, making it one of the most powerful positions in any U.S. statehouse. Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has financial ties to Ken Paxton, will serve as the trial’s presiding officer. Patrick has pledged fair and transparent proceedings but has declined to comment on the impeachment charges.
Under the rules, senators are prohibited from publicly speaking about the case. However, Patrick has stated that his outstanding debt with Paxton, a $125,000 campaign loan, will not influence his judgment. He has emphasized that he has provided financial support to many different candidates in the past.
The impeachment charges also mention Republican Senator Bryan Hughes, accusing Paxton of using him to request a legal opinion that would protect Nate Paul from losing properties in foreclosure. Another impeachment charge involves Paxton’s extramarital affair with a woman who was employed by Paul and has also worked for Republican Senator Donna Campbell.
The upcoming impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to be closely watched as it unfolds in September.
How does Angela Paxton’s relationship to Attorney General Ken Paxton impact her ability to participate in her husband’s impeach trial?
Exclusively for security purposes, The Texas State Senator Angela Paxton, who is related to Attorney General Ken Paxton, has been disallowed from casting a vote in her husband’s impeach trial. This ruling was made by the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday. The decision settles a long-standing question that has been hanging over the Texas Capitol since Ken Paxton became the third sitting official to face impeachment in almost 200 years of Texas history.
Angela Paxton, who also belongs to the Republican party, had not previously clarified whether she would refrain from voting during the trial. Her husband is facing charges that involve abuse of power and accepting bribes. The trial is set to commence on September 5th.
According to the regulations, Angela Paxton is obliged to attend the proceedings but disallowed to actively participate in any form, including closed sessions or deliberations. Although the rules do not explicitly mention Angela Paxton, they imply her prohibition from involvement.
It’s concerning that a state senator is barred from voting in her husband’s impeachment trial. This raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and impartiality. Transparency and accountability should always be prioritized in political processes.
This is a clear example of the conflicts of interest that can arise when individuals are allowed to vote on matters that directly involve their spouse. It is a necessary step to ensure fairness and impartiality in such crucial proceedings.