Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. born December 23, 1962 is an American politician and attorney serving as the attorney general of Texas since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the eighth district in the Texas Senate and served in the Texas House of Representatives. Paxton gained prominence as an ally of the Tea Party movement and is often described as an ultraconservative or far-right politician. As attorney general, he has appointed several prominent critics of LGBT rights to key positions within his office. In June 2022, Paxton stated that he would defend Texas’ laws prohibiting consensual same-sex relationships if the U.S. Supreme Court’s Lawrence v. Texas decision was overturned. He has also filed nearly 50 lawsuits against the Biden administration.
Ken Paxton Biography 2024
Paxton is a staunch supporter of a near-total abortion ban. After the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Paxton aided Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results. He filed the unsuccessful Texas v. Pennsylvania case in the U.S. Supreme Court and spoke at Trump’s rally on January 6, 2021, which preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol. In 2015, Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges for activities before taking office; he has pleaded not guilty. The case has been delayed, and his trial is now set for April 2024. In 2020, several senior assistants in his office accused him of bribery, abuse of office, and other crimes. In May 2023, the Texas House of Representatives impeached Paxton with bipartisan support, citing allegations of favoritism toward a political donor, misuse of public resources, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. However, in September 2023, the Texas Senate acquitted him of all charges, ending his suspension from office. Paxton is also being investigated by federal prosecutors for the same legal issues under federal statutes.
Ken Paxton Biography Details
| Born | Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. December 23, 1962 (age 61)
Minot, North Dakota, U.S. |
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| Political party | Republican |
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| Spouse | Angela Allen |
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| Children | 4 |
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| Education | Baylor University (BA, MBA)
University of Virginia (JD) |
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Ken Paxton Early Life
Paxton was born at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota while his father served in the United States Air Force. His family lived in various states, including Florida, New York, North Carolina, California, and Oklahoma. Paxton developed a love for football early on and was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. He owned an autographed jersey from Bill Bates, a former Cowboys player who later became Paxton’s campaign treasurer. At the age of twelve, Paxton nearly lost an eye during a game of hide-and-seek, which resulted in long-term vision problems. His good eye is green, while his damaged eye is brown and droopy.
Paxton earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1985 and a Master of Business Administration in 1986 from Baylor University. While at Baylor, he was elected president of the student government. After two years working as a management consultant, Paxton returned to school, earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1991. He worked for Strasburger & Price, L.L.P. from 1991 to 1995 and for J.C. Penney Company, Inc. from 1995 to 2002.
Ken Paxton Political Career Timeline
Position | Dates |
Attorney General of Texas | January 5, 2015 – Present |
Texas Senate (8th District) | January 8, 2013 – January 4, 2015 |
Texas House of Representatives (District 70) | January 14, 2003 – January 8, 2013 |
Ken Paxton Early Political Experience
Position | Year Elected |
Texas House of Representatives | 2002 |
Texas Senate | 2012 |
Major Legislative Positions
Issue | Position |
Abortion | Strongly supports a near-total ban |
LGBT Rights | Opposes expanded rights and protections |
Federal Policies | Frequently sues the Biden administration |
Legal Challenges
Legal Issue | Outcome |
Securities Fraud Indictment | Trial scheduled for April 2024 |
Impeachment Proceedings | Acquitted by the Texas Senate in 2023 |
Key Legal Cases Involving
Case | Years |
Texas v. Pennsylvania | Filed to challenge the 2020 election results |
Affordable Care Act Lawsuit | Filed to have Obamacare declared unconstitutional |
Paxton Public Statements on Abortion
Statement | Details |
Roe v. Wade Overturning | Praised the decision and supported a ban |
Texas Abortion Laws | Defended Texas’ restrictive abortion laws |
Stance on LGBT Rights
Issue | Position |
Same-Sex Marriage | Opposes legalization and rights |
LGBT Rights in the Workplace | Appointed critics of LGBT protections |
Ken Paxton Relationship with Donald Trump
Event | Role |
2020 Election Challenge | Filed lawsuit to overturn election results |
January 6, 2021 Rally | Spoke at rally before Capitol attack |
Paxton Impeachment Details
Allegation | Details |
Bribery and Abuse of Office | Accused of misusing office and accepting bribes |
Obstruction of Justice | Accused of hindering securities fraud trial |
Paxton Support for the Tea Party
Aspect | Details |
Tea Party Alignment | Strong supporter during early political rise |
Conservative Policies | Advocates for limited government and fiscal conservatism |
Career Timeline
Event | Date |
Texas House Election | 2002 |
Texas Senate Election | 2012 |
Attorney General Election | 2014 |
Ken Paxton Legal Background
Aspect | Details |
Law Degree | University of Virginia, Juris Doctor |
Legal Career | Worked at Strasburger & Price and J.C. Penney |
Ken Paxton Role in Election Law
Issue | Role |
Election Integrity | Advocated for challenging election results |
Voter ID Laws | Supported stricter voter ID requirements |
Paxton Stance on Federal Overreach
Issue | Position |
Federal Regulations | Opposed to many federal regulatory actions |
Lawsuits Against Federal Government | Filed over 50 lawsuits challenging federal actions |
Ken Paxton Personal Life
Detail | Information |
Birthplace | Minot, North Dakota |
Family | Married to Angela Allen, four children |
Ken Paxton Net Worth
Ken Paxton net worth is around $3 Million.
Ken Paxton Summary
Ken Paxton career reflects a strong commitment to conservative values, with a notable focus on opposing abortion rights, defending traditional views on marriage, and challenging federal policies. Despite legal controversies, including impeachment and criminal indictments, he has remained a significant figure in Texas politics, continuing to serve as the state’s Attorney General.
