John Cornyn is embarrassed by the pile of scandals that have stained the reputation of the Texas attorney general’s office.
How about that? The statement, which isn’t exactly a condemnation of the incumbent AG, does speak well to the quality of leadership Texas has gotten from its chief law enforcement, Republican Ken Paxton.
Cornyn, also a Republican, is the state’s senior U.S. senator. He told the Texas Tribune: âI will tell you that I remain very disturbed by the fact that the incumbent has had an indictment hanging over his head, for now, I donât know, what has it been, six years? This is the chief law enforcement officer of the state of Texas. And itâs a source of embarrassment to me that that has been unresolved,â Cornyn said on a Thursday call with reporters, noting that he tries âvery hardâ not to get involved in primary politics. Cornyn has not endorsed in the primary.
A Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on securities fraud charges in 2015, the first year of his time as AG. Then came complaints from fellow lawyers in his office alleging criminality at the top. The FBI has been investigating those charges. The Texas State Bar has filed complaints against the attorney general, who faces Land Commissioner George P. Bush in a runoff set for May 24.
Paxton denies any wrongdoing.
He also fired back at Sen. Cornyn, who he said is too willing to work with “radical Senate Democrats.” Good grief. That’s how you legislate … Ken!
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn calls Ken Paxton scandals an âembarrassmentâ | The Texas Tribune
My own view is that Paxton is more than an “embarrassment” to the state. His time as AG has been reprehensible. He has launched specious challenges to the 2020 election and has continued to behave like the shameful partisan he has been throughout his entire political career.
I’ll conclude with remarks from Sen. Cornyn. âObviously, the voters will have access to that information,â Cornyn said. âTheyâll make their own decision. I canât predict what the outcome will be, but I do, as a former attorney general myself, Iâm embarrassed by what weâre having to deal with.”