Paxton backs challengers against GOP House members who impeached him

DALLAS — Texas Attorney Ken Paxton on Monday continued his counterpunch on House Republicans who voted to impeach him.

At a meeting of Collin County Republicans in Mckinney, Paxton endorsed at least four challengers against Collin County lawmakers who joined the overwhelming majority of House members (121) who supported his impeachment. The entire GOP House delegation from Collin County, where Paxton lives with his wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, voted to impeach the Republican attorney general.

Paxton, a Republican, endorsed Chuck Branch against freshman lawmaker Frederick Frazier of Mckinney, Allen council member Daren Meis against Jeff Leach of Plano, Wayne Richard against Matt Shaheen of Plano and Abraham George against Candy Noble of Lucas. The GOP primary races will occur in March.

George on Monday stepped down as Collin County Republican Party chairman to run against Noble.

Paxton, who was acquitted by the Senate, told the large crowd that “we’re going to clean house.”

Striking back at Collin County lawmakers who voted to impeach him is especially important to Paxton. His home county lawmakers backed the impeachment. Leach, once an ally, staged an emotional closing argument before the case went to Senate jurors.

Rep. Justin Holland, R-rockwall, went on social media and dismissed the chances of the challengers. Holland also is expected to receive a primary challenge.

“Not a single challenger to any of the Collin delegation will be successful,” he said on X.

The spate of endorsements are part of a multi-front push by Paxton who earlier Monday said he would file criminal complaints against the Board of Managers who led the impeachment trial against him after his home address was published last week in documents posted online.