Donald Trump endorses Ken Paxton for reelection as Texas attorney general
The former president gives Paxton the nod over GOP challengers George P. Bush and Eva Guzman.
(from left) Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Gov. Greg Abbott greet President Donald Trump at Dallas Love Field on Thursday, June 11, 2020, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News)(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Updated at 7:55 p.m. with new information throughout.
Donald Trump on Monday endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for reelection, giving the embattled incumbent a sought-after edge in the 2022 GOP primary that also features Land Commissioner George P. Bush and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman.
Trump blasted out a statement calling Paxton a true Texan who will keep Texas safe and praised the attorney general for his stances on crime, guns, border security and election integrity. Attorney General Ken Paxton has been bravely on the front line in the fight for Texas, and America, against the vicious and very dangerous Radical Left Democrats, and the foolish and unsuspecting RINOs that are destroying our Country, Trump said. It is going to take a PATRIOT like Ken Paxton to advance America First policies in order to Make America Great Again.
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Speculation has swirled around who would get the former president s seal of approval in the race. Trump teased an endorsement in late May, saying he liked them both very much.
George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush, is attempting to continue his dynastic climb to the presidency.
Bush had been attempting to get on Donald Trump’s good side, despite what Trump has said about his family. Trump wants none of it.
“Attorney General Ken Paxton has been bravely on the front line in the fight for Texas, and America, against the vicious and very dangerous Radical Left Democrats, and the foolish and unsuspecting RINOs that are destroying our Country,” Trump wrote. “Ken is strong on Crime, Border Security, the Second Amendment, Election Integrity and, above all, our Constitution.
“He loves our Military and our Vets. It is going to take a PATRIOT like Ken Paxton to advance America First policies in order to Make America Great Again. Ken has my Complete and Total Endorsement for another term as Attorney General of Texas. He is a true Texan who will keep Texas safe and will never let you down!”
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July 26, 2021 8:54 PM ET
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Former President Donald Trump endorsed incumbent Republican Ken Paxton for Texas attorney general over challenger George P. Bush on Monday.
Paxton has served as Texas attorney general since his first election in 2014. His challenger, Bush, had previously attempted to court Trump’s endorsement shortly after announcing his run for the office in June. While Trump has had a strained relationship with the Bush family in recent years, he had said earlier in 2021 that he does “like” this youngest Bush.
“Attorney General Ken Paxton has been bravely on the front line in the fight for Texas, and America, against the vicious and very dangerous Radical Left Democrats, and the foolish and unsuspecting RINOs that are destroying our Country,” Trump wrote. “Ken is strong on Crime, Border Security, the Second Amendment, Election Integrity and, above all, our Constitution.”