Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was found not guilty in an impeachment hearing before the state Senate on Saturday. He was charged with abusing his position in order to defend a political donor.
Since May, when the Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton, he has been on leave from his position. The Senate’s decision on Saturday automatically restores Paxton to his post as attorney general, which he has used to establish a national reputation as a supporter of conservative principles and an opponent of Democratic presidents’ policies.
Before reaching a decision, the senators deliberated for almost nine hours. To impeach Paxton on each of the 16 articles he was up against, a two-thirds vote, or 21 of the 30 senators who could vote, was required. Sen. Angela Paxton, Paxton’s wife, was disqualified from casting a vote.
Only two Texas politicians have ever had their terms as representatives terminated following an impeachment trial.
