Attorney General Ken Paxton has recently had the federal criminal probe into allegations of corruption against him effectively ended by the Justice Department, as reported by The Associated Press. This development comes as Paxton gears up for a likely 2026 primary run against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. The end of the investigation has been seen as a political and personal boost for Paxton, highlighting his endurance and ability to survive legal battles.
Paxton’s attorney revealed that he learned of the Justice Department’s decision through media reports, as they never formally notified him. This marks a series of legal victories for Paxton, including the dismissal of felony securities fraud charges and his acquittal on corruption charges by the Texas Senate. His last outstanding legal battle is a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former aides.
The conclusion of the federal investigation has enabled Paxton to take a swing at Cornyn, who has expressed criticism of Paxton’s legal troubles. The potential matchup between the two could be Cornyn’s toughest primary battle yet, as Texas Republican primary voters move further toward the right. Despite Cornyn’s fundraising prowess and influence, Paxton enjoys higher approval ratings among Republican voters in the state.
As Paxton looks towards a potential 2026 primary run against Cornyn, he is positioning himself as a fighter and risk-taker who has managed to overcome numerous legal challenges. With the federal investigation behind him, Paxton is leveraging this victory to bolster his stance in the upcoming campaign.
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