Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at event, jabs media ahead of impeachment trial
PLANO (CBSNewsTexas.com) - Attorney General Ken Paxton addressed a crowd during a Labor Day picnic open to the public Saturday. The event was just days before the historic impeachment trial for the embattled attorney general, which is set to begin Sept. 5.
From the moment he arrived, all eyes were on the embattled Texas attorney general.
When his wife, state senator Angela Paxton introduced him, calling him the "love of my life," the republican crowd gave him a stand ovation.
Paxton did not speak about the impeachment on Saturday.
"So today, I would love to talk about what's coming up for me in the next couple of weeks. I have a gag order on me so I cannot talk about that," he said.
Paxton, instead, focused his speech on voter fraud.
He also took a jab at the media saying, "Thanks to the media for showing up today. I'm sure they're here for a good story. Actually, if you kept up you could read that I'm responsible for the JFK assassination, 9/11 … and everything in between."
Barbra Isaacs not only came Saturday to support Paxton, but she'll be in Austin on Tuesday.
"The thing is, we love Ken Paxton," said Isaacs. "We love our attorney general."
Isaacs was signing people up to join her on a bus ride to the Capitol for the impeachment trial.
"I think it is all a witch hunt,' Isaacs said. "I think they have been trying to take Ken out for years. They weren't able to do it at the ballot box so they are doing it this way instead."
Paxton's wife shared that she will be running for re-election for Senate District 8.
Other speakers included Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, County Judge Chris Hill, County Sheriff Jim Skinner and Congressman Keith Self.
The Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton in a 121-23 vote over Memorial Day Weekend.
The 20 articles of impeachment against him include allegations of abuse of public trust, being unfit for office, dereliction of duty and constitutional bribery. In short, Paxton is accused of abusing his office to benefit Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who donated $25,000 to his campaign and himself.
Paxton is only the third Texas official, and second statewide, to be impeached.
