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From PolitiFact.com |
There must be something more to Ken Paxton's felony Securities violations. Something that kept newspapers across Texas from endorsing Paxton. Something like this:
Paxton has already admitted to felony violations of our Texas security laws involving his participation in a scheme that swindled a Texas couple out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. A criminal complaint against Paxton is pending before a district attorney. In addition, a formal complaint has been filed against Paxton by a respected legal watchdog group laying out evidence to remove his license to practice law in Texas.
Tea Party Darling, Paxton has already lost his endorsement from his home town police force. As a Senator, Paxton actually voted for the law that he violated. This seems to be a reoccurring theme of all the non-endorsements. Even the ultra white-wing paper, The Eagle, out of Bryan-College Station couldn't stomach Paxton's law breaking:
For his part, Paxton, a state senator, has been embroiled in several ethical matters, the most important of which is his failure to register as a securities agent before selling securities to various clients -- using laws he voted to approve. Surely Texans don't want an attorney general who cannot follow the laws he helped create.
Editorial boards across the state had the same comments on their reasons to pass on the "Christian Conservative", Ken Paxton. Thanks to The Lone Star Project for this summary:
Houston Chronicle“…has a history of lawbreaking and questionable business practices that should disqualify him in the minds of Texans.”
“Paxton improperly solicited clients in 2004, 2005,and 2012. This habit reveals either a striking disregard for the law or chronic forgetfulness, neither of which are desirable qualities in a candidate for attorney general.”
San Antonio Express-News“…the case raises disturbing ethical questions about Paxton. We believe voters should take this blemish on Paxton’s record seriously as they consider who should be the state's top lawyer.”
Dallas Morning News“Serious legal issues dogging Republican state Sen. Ken Paxton should rule him out for consideration to be the next attorney general of Texas.”
“Voters should not invite that kind of embarrassment for Texas.”
Corpus Christi Caller-Times“Republican Ken Paxton should be disqualified from consideration because his compromised ethics are a matter of record.”
“Paxton helped pass the law he violated. The attorney general, by job description, must be above that kind of reproach. “
Austin American-Statesman“…the complaints raise the specter of the state’s top attorney facing a possible grand jury investigation and indictment while attempting to carry out the duties of the office. This is unacceptable.”
“Even without the legal concerns, it would be difficult to endorse Paxton. He appears ready to use the office to fight the battles of national politics at the expense of concerns of the state.”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram“The Republican nominee, lawyer and state Sen. Ken Paxton of McKinney, is undeserving of consideration.”
“No candidate to lead “the people’s law firm” should ever have misled a client, a state board or the people of Texas.”
Bay Area HoustonAt least Paxton still has other law enforcement agencies that have been content to stand on their endorsement such as Houston Police Officers’ Union Political Action Committee (HPOU, pronouced as "H-POO").
“How can you vote for someone to uphold the law when they break the law?” [I added this one]
"Every now and then we need the top law enforcement of the State to turn a blind eye when law enforcement brings out the billy clubs. Ken Paxton has demonstrated his ability to do just that. To Paxton, breaking the law is just part of the job.":)