Politics & Policy
April 25, 2023
For Texas’s Antiabortion Movement, the Chilling Effect Is Working
While extremely limited, avenues for abortion access exist in Texas. That’s where fear tactics from antiabortion activists come into play.
Ken Paxton
Latest
51-100 of 136 Articles
Politics & Policy
April 12, 2023
San Antonio’s ‘Justice Charter’ Vote Is Another Fight Between State Power and Home Rule
In a post-Roe Texas, cities such as San Antonio have tried to protect reproductive health care—but a state government big on preemption has other plans.
Politics & Policy
March 31, 2023
Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, and Ken Paxton All Invoked George Soros in Denouncing Trump’s Indictment. Here’s Why That’s a Problem.
The Jewish billionaire has long been the target of antisemitic attacks from the far right. What are Republican leaders signaling when they single him out as the main force behind the former president’s woes?
Politics & Policy
March 14, 2023
How a Right-wing Law Firm Shaped the Judge Who Will Rule on the Abortion Pill
Matthew Kacsmaryk cut his teeth at First Liberty Institute, a “religious liberty” law firm with Texas roots—and a growing national reach.
Politics & Policy
March 10, 2023
Don’t Be Fooled by the Legislature’s Tough Talk About Ken Paxton
Texas lawmakers say they won’t let the attorney general settle a lawsuit using taxpayer money, but they’re letting him avoid oversight.
Politics & Policy
February 16, 2023
What’s Driving the Texas Right’s Campaign Against Transgender Youth and Their Parents
A handful of bills target gender-affirming medical care. Some families have fled the state and others are ready to follow.
Politics & Policy
February 10, 2023
Attorney General Ken Paxton Agrees to Apologize and Pay $3.3 Million to Whistleblowers
Paxton and the four whistleblowers asked the Texas Supreme Court to defer consideration of the case until they can finalize the settlement, after which they’ll move to end the case.
Politics & Policy
January 5, 2023
Chip Roy, Bless His Heart
The Central Texas representative who is helping block Kevin McCarthy’s ascent to Speaker of the House has a long history of obstructionism.
Politics & Policy
November 4, 2022
Why Is Ken Paxton Sending a Task Force to Monitor Harris County’s Elections?
Local officials and civil rights activists worry that the attorney general could be laying the groundwork for challenging another election.
Politics & Policy
November 2, 2022
Inside the Movement to Root Out Nonexistent Election Fraud in Texas
Weston Martinez can’t provide evidence for his claims of fraud in the 2020 election, but he is drawing crowds of right-wing activists across Texas.
Politics & Policy
October 31, 2022
Can Texas Democrats Make the Election a Referendum on Abortion?
For the first time in fifty years, single-issue abortion voters are pro-choice. Can Texas Democrats capitalize on it?
Politics & Policy
October 24, 2022
Wherever Donald Trump Goes, There You Are
The former president’s rally in Robstown was just like all his others in Texas, but he still commands state leaders’ attention.
Politics & Policy
October 24, 2022
Before Roe, Faith Leaders Helped Texans Get Illegal Abortions. What Will They Do Now?
Progressive religious leaders are mulling their options to help women who seek abortions—and some are willing to risk lawsuits and jail time.
Politics & Policy
September 14, 2022
Is There Anything Ken Paxton Could Do to Turn Voters Against Him?
Texans have stood by their attorney general through two criminal indictments and a host of other scandals. Is there any misdeed that might stick to his Teflon coating before the November election?
Politics & Policy
August 19, 2022
A Presbyterian Minister Is Leading the Opposition to Anti-Transgender Texas Policies
Remington Johnson has become a touchstone for the families of transgender children.
Politics & Policy
May 27, 2022
“It Will Happen Again”: Texas Leaders Have No Plans to Prevent the Next Uvalde
Defenders of limitless guns are out of ideas but full of excuses.
Politics & Policy
May 26, 2022
A Year of “Protecting” Children in Texas
State leaders have campaigned in 2022 on saving Texas children from threats real and imagined. All the while, we’ve been selling them out.
Politics & Policy
May 24, 2022
The Bush Stops Here: George P.’s Loss Brings an End to the Family Dynasty
In the Republican runoff for attorney general, incumbent Ken Paxton—not to mention Donald Trump—got his wish.
Politics & Policy
May 19, 2022
Jeb to the Rescue? George P. Bush Gets a Cash Infusion from His Family’s Donor Network
Please clap.
Politics & Policy
April 5, 2022
Bad News for George P.—Lots of Texas Republicans Just Don’t Like Bushes
Two-fifths of Texas Republicans say they would never vote for a Bush.
Politics & Policy
March 21, 2022
Democratic Voters Aren’t Behaving as if They Think Ken Paxton Is Vulnerable
Texas’s attorney general is seen as the most beatable statewide Republican, but Rochelle Garza and Joe Jaworski are struggling to motivate the Democratic base.
Politics & Policy
March 2, 2022
Results: Texas Primary Election 2022
Greg Abbott wins the GOP nomination outright, Ken Paxton is heading to a runoff against George P. Bush, and democratic socialists running for U.S. House have a good night.
Politics & Policy
February 25, 2022
The Attorney General’s Race Is Texas Democrats’ Best Statewide Pickup Opportunity
With Republican incumbent Ken Paxton's legal troubles, Democrats have plenty of contenders this year.
Politics & Policy
February 15, 2022
Louie Gohmert Is Pitching Himself as Ken Paxton Without the Baggage. Will It Work?
The nine-term congressman and right-wing firebrand from Tyler is staking his career on unseating the indicted attorney general.
Politics & Policy
February 14, 2022
Will the Bush Dynasty Die With George P. Bush?
Jeb’s son is running for his political life in the Texas attorney general’s race. But Donald Trump may get the last laugh.
Politics & Policy
January 10, 2022
The Republican Race for Attorney General Will Be the Weirdest, Wildest—And Most Telling—Texas Election in 2022
Scandal-plagued incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton faces a Bush, a congressional performance artist, and a former state Supreme Court justice.
Politics & Policy
January 6, 2022
Texas Contributed More Than Just Rioters to the January 6 Insurrection
Our leaders aided and abetted Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the election more than those in any other state.
Business
February 5, 2021
Texas Payday Lenders Get Millions in Pandemic Relief Money
Many short-term lenders receive government help even as their ultrahigh interest rates trap vulnerable customers in debt.
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2021
The Texas GOP Returns to Its Favorite Pastime: Infighting
With state government more firmly in Republican hands, the next year will feature a return of the Republican civil war. Here are the skirmishes to watch for.
Politics & Policy
December 16, 2020
Bum Steer Awards, 2021: Get Ready for the Amazing Adventures of PAXT-MAN!
Can you help Texas's attorney general escape the long arm of the law?
Politics & Policy
December 11, 2020
Ken Paxton Takes His Texas Grifting to the National Stage
Facing a bribery allegation and criminal fraud charges, the Texas attorney general is tossing his supporters fresh red meat by leading an attempt to overturn the will of American voters.
Politics & Policy
October 5, 2020
The Calls of Impropriety Are Coming From Inside Ken Paxton’s Office
The Texas attorney general has called his 2015 indictment for securities fraud a “witch hunt.” Now, seven of his aides accuse him of corruption.
Politics & Policy
September 11, 2020
Greg Abbott’s “Back the Blue” Posse Can’t Shoot Straight
Facing down a potential Democrat-controlled Texas House, the governor has made a hard push to reframe the November election on his terms.
Politics & Policy
June 18, 2020
Could Voting by Mail in November Become an Act of Civil Disobedience?
Unless the courts rule decisively, Texas voters could face a terrible choice: risk their health at the polls, or risk prosecution by using a mail-in ballot.
Politics & Policy
May 15, 2020
Why Does Attorney General Ken Paxton Want to Make Voting a Death-Defying Act?
The resignation of a key election official serves as a warning about the dangers of conducting elections in person during the coronavirus pandemic.
Politics & Policy
May 5, 2020
Will Texans Be Able to Vote by Mail?
The question is making its way through the courts, after Attorney General Ken Paxton appealed a state judge’s ruling.
Politics & Policy
April 13, 2020
The State’s Ban Isn’t Stopping Texans From Getting Abortions
Governor Greg Abbott's order, closing abortion clinics through April 21, has sent many out of state to seek the procedure—in the middle of the pandemic.
News
July 29, 2019
Texas Might Kill Obamacare, But State Leaders Don’t Seem to Have a Plan for What’s Next
In the event that millions lose their health insurance and protections for preexisting conditions disappear, the state has no real backup plan.
Border & Immigration
July 22, 2019
Should Texas Sue the Federal Government Over Border Costs?
Two Texas Democrats are calling on Republican attorney general Ken Paxton to sue the feds for reimbursement of border security costs. But legal experts think it’s a bad idea.
Best and Worst Legislators
February 22, 2019
Best & Worst Legislators in Real Time: Senator Angela Paxton, for Filing Legislation That Could Directly Benefit Her Indicted Husband
The rookie lawmaker stunned the Texas Senate.
Best and Worst Legislators
February 8, 2019
Best and Worst Legislators in Real Time: Senator Kirk Watson
The Austin senator grills the secretary of state to get to the bottom of the controversial elections advisory.
Politics & Policy
February 6, 2019
Texan Wrongfully Flagged For Possible Illegal Voting Joins Lawsuit Against Texas Officials
A U.S. citizen for just 10 months, Julieta Garibay has emerged as the face of plaintiffs who say that tens of thousands of Texans have been falsely accused of voter fraud.
Politics & Policy
September 26, 2018
Ken Paxton Backs Expulsion of Student Who Refused to Stand for the Pledge of Allegiance
The attorney general’s office says that Texas law supports the school.
The Culture
September 4, 2018
Matthew McConaughey and Ken Paxton Team Up Against Human Trafficking
The surprising pair has joined forces for a noble cause.
BBQ
August 16, 2018
Sid Miller Is Still Obsessed With Barbecue Scales
Despite Attorney General Ken Paxton’s advice, the agriculture commissioner won’t let go of barbecue scale enforcement.
Reporter
July 12, 2018
Democrat Justin Nelson’s Campaign Is Making a Lot of Noise About Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Indictment
In our podcast, the Houston lawyer argues that Texans should be embarrassed by Paxton’s criminal indictment.
Border & Immigration
May 1, 2018
Paxton Sues to End Protections Against Deportation for Young Immigrants
President Obama may be gone, but he’s not forgotten in the politics of Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Politics & Policy
March 21, 2018
Attorney General Ken Paxton Spread False Information on Austin Bombings
Paxton incorrectly whipped up fear on Sean Hannity’s national television show.
Politics & Policy
December 21, 2017
Ken Paxton Rules That Licensed Handgun Owners Can Bring a Firearm to Church
The attorney general issued the opinion to provide legal options for improving church security in Texas.
Politics & Policy
March 3, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Ken Paxton Edition
Our favorite political reads of the week.