Ken Paxton

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Presents himself as a longtime ally of President Trump and pledges to push the president's legislative priorities in the Senate, including tax cuts, border security and deportations.[1]
• Points to his record as attorney general, saying he sued the Biden administration more than 100 times, including over border policy.[1],[2]
• Says the election will decide whether Texas remains a conservative state, and tells voters a Republican loss in Texas would mean losing the country.[3],[4]
• Pledges to take on large food and pharmaceutical companies, saying Americans deserve transparency and the freedom to make informed health choices.[1]

Background

• Texas Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General of Texas · 2015–present[5],[2]
• Impeached by the Texas House in May 2023; acquitted by the Texas Senate on all 16 articles brought to trial on Sept. 16, 2023 (he pleaded not guilty), Texas Legislature · 2023[6],[5]
• Indicted in 2015 on state securities fraud charges, to which he pleaded not guilty; the charges were dismissed in June 2025 after he completed a pretrial diversion agreement that included restitution and did not involve an admission of guilt, Texas state courts · 2015–2025[7],[5]
• State Senator, District 8, Texas Senate · 2013–2015[5]
• State Representative, District 70, Texas House of Representatives · 2003–2013[5]
• Attorney; founded his own law firm, Law practice, McKinney · About 14 years before public office[2]

Education

• B.A. in psychology, Baylor University (1985)[5],[2]
• M.B.A., Baylor University (1986)[5],[2]
• J.D., University of Virginia School of Law (1991)[5],[2]

Where they stand

• Immigration
  Says he will help President Trump finish the border wall and deport people he describes as criminals who entered the country during the Biden administration.[1]
• Taxes
  Describes himself as a fiscal conservative who supports tax cuts and reducing federal spending he calls wasteful, which he links to the national debt.[1]
• Economy & Jobs
  Says he would reduce regulations on energy companies, support domestic manufacturing and back President Trump's economic agenda; supports passing the CLARITY Act to set federal rules for cryptocurrency and digital assets.[1]
• Health Care
  Says pharmaceutical and food companies put profits ahead of public health and pledges to work with President Trump on more transparency and accountability in food and health care.[1]
• Guns
  Pledges to protect gun rights and oppose what he describes as attacks on Second Amendment rights.[1]
• Abortion
  Pledges to "defend the unborn"; as a state senator he voted for 2013's HB 2, which banned most abortions after 20 weeks.[1],[11]
• Foreign Policy
  Supports an "America First" foreign policy based on peace through strength, and opposes sending large sums abroad.[1]

Voting record

A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.

In their words