Texas attorney general candidates in Republican primary March 1
Ken Paxton
Did not respond.
Eva Guzman
Occupation: Shareholder, Appellate Section, Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White and Williams
Age: 61
Campaign website: https://evaguzman.com/
Best way for voters to reach you: Eva@EvaGuzman.com
Education: BBA-University of Houston, JD-Texas Southern University, LLM-Duke University School of Law
Have you run for or held elected office before? Candidate and Elected 2000 – 309th District Court Harris CountyCandidate and Elected 2002, 2008 -- Justice 14th District Court of Appeals, Houston, TexasCandidate and Elected 2010, 2016 – Supreme Court of Texas (highest vote-getter in primary & general elections)
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held): In over a decade on the Texas Supreme Court, I was responsible for overseeing numerous state agencies and offices, including the State Bar of Texas, the Office of Court Administration, and the Texas Board of Law Examiners. Individually, I led two major, independently staffed judicial commissions. I led the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission where I took the nascent commission to national prominence. I also served as the court’s liaison to the Texas Access to Justice Commission where I led and oversaw resolution of many questions arising from the organization’s work. Each was supported by separate permanent staff, and I oversaw implementation of their work by the Office of Court Administration, which is a unique state agency that operates under supervision of the Texas Supreme. I’ve also served on boards for Texas CASA, South Texas College of Law Board of Trustees, Duke Law School Board of Visitors, and Center for American and International Law.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain. No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain. Over the course of my tenure in the Texas judiciary, there have been instances when disgruntled litigants may have attempted to sue me in my capacity as a judge. I have never been involved in litigation other than perhaps answering through the government agency charged with representing thejudiciary. Dismissal was likely sought. I don’t have any specifics on any of these as I did not personally handle any of it nor was I involved.In 2016, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE) sued Governor Abbott and Secretary Cascos over the state’s at-large system for electing Supreme Court justices. I was asked to respond to discovery requests. The AG’s office represented me and ultimately, the discovery was quashed by Judge Lee Yeakel. On the merits, the federal district court dismissed the suit and actually noted my historic 2016 victory in its order.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Bob Rowling, Harlan Crow, and Dick Weekley
Why are you seeking this office? I was a Supreme Court Justice for over a decade and stepped down from a position I loved to step up for the state I love. Like many Texans, I’m fed up with the lack of leadership, integrity, and results coming from the current Attorney General. You cannot protect the rule of law if you think you’re above the law, and Ken Paxton’s job performance proves that he is simply too distracted by his own ethical and legal issues to do the job Texans elected him to do. Texas is too important to leave in the hands of someone who has been indicted for state securities fraud and under investigation by the FBI. I’m running because I believe it’s time we restore experience, integrity, and credibility to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
What are the biggest challenges facing the state and how should the AG’s office respond? We need to restore the rule of law at the border using every legal tool available to hold the federal government accountable. That includes taking legal action to make the federal government reimburse the taxpayer dollars Texas communities have spent dealing with the influx of illegal immigrants, finishing the border wall and immediately ending catch-and-release policies.Our individual liberties and state’s rights are being attacked by radical activists who don’t respect the rule of law or our Constitution. The AG’s Office is the tip of the spear in protecting Texans’ rights and values. I am ready to take immediate action against the Biden Administration’s unlawful power grabs and attempts to trample our Constitutional rights.We need to restore parents as the major voice in their children’s education. We don’t need the federal government mandating when our children can go to school and when they can’t, or dictating woke policies that teach our children to be victims.
What would your top 3 priorities be as AG? Restoring the rule of law at the border using every legal tool at the Attorney General’s Office’s disposal to hold the federal government accountable for fulfilling this core Constitutional function.Protecting our individual liberties and state’s rights from radical activists who don’t respect the rule of law or our Constitution.Restoring credibility and experience to the AG’s Office so it can once again handle the people’s work. There has been a mass-exodus of experienced legal talent from the office. Paxton’s own handpicked inner circle either resigned or were fired after reporting him to the FBI for breaking the law. The result is that the most important law firm in Texas doesn’t have the legal talent it needs to do the work of the people–they’re farming out the state’s lawsuits to private law firms that charge massive contingency fees for their work. That is unacceptable.
What would you do to improve the performance of the child-support division? Child support enforcement is a major responsibility of the Attorney General’s office, keeping well over half of the office’s employees busy. Yet despite technological advances and the challenges presented by the pandemic, Paxton has done nothing to improve procedures that could save parents from wasting time away from work or their families, sitting in courtrooms to receive child support.I am the only candidate with actual professional experience relevant to this critical function of the Attorney General. As a former family-law practitioner and trial judge, and later as former chair of both the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the Supreme Court Commission on Children, Youth & Families, I am well aware of the challenges faced by thousands of Texas families dependent on regular payment of child support. I will take this responsibility seriously and give it the attention it deserves, beginning with a prompt upgrade to the Zoom era.
Should Texas have sued to challenge the election results of four battleground states in the U.S. Supreme Court? Why or why not? As a Republican, I was disappointed in the outcome of the 2020 elections, and as a former judge, I understand there’s a framework for addressing legitimate issues when they arise in our electoral system. But that outcome is moot because Paxton’s lawsuit never had the legal standing to proceed. The bigger issue, in my opinion, is we have an AG more interested in publicity stunts than smart legal strategies, so he is filing lawsuits that are immediately thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court. Based on his track record, Texans should have little confidence that the current AG has the legal skills necessary toactually get results. Either that, or he is too distracted by his own personal scandals to actually do the job correctly.
How would you handle access to records and transparency as AG? It’s critical that our government is accountable to the people it serves, and transparency is a key part of holding public officials accountable. As AG, I would follow the law diligently to ensure Texans have access to the records they are entitled to. Unlike Ken Paxton, I have nothing to hide from Texas taxpayers.
How would you interact with the federal government as AG? My commitment to the Constitution means I am equally committed to protecting our state against intrusion and overreach by the federal government. I dissented from an opinion that gave unwarranted deference to federal courts to resolve a Texan’s claims, instead of allowing it to proceed in our state courts. My position was vindicated when the SCOTUS agreed to review the case and delivered the first reversal of the Texas Supreme Court in decades.As Attorney General, I will lead the fight against the overreach of the Biden administration. I will defend laws validly enacted by our Legislature against legal challenges from liberal activists—such as laws protecting life and election integrity and prohibiting sanctuary cities. And unlike Paxton, I will be a leader among state attorneys general in challenging lawless federal power grabs. It’s an embarrassment that the Attorney General of Missouri has led the charge to make the Biden Administration continue building the border wall.
How should the AG interact with state leaders, including the governor, lieutenant governor and members of the legislature? I believe strongly in the separation of powers and that each branch of government has an important and unique role to play, but that all should work to ensure the will of the people and good public policy are enacted. It is the Legislature’s responsibility to determine public policy for the state, and it’s the AG’s responsibility to defend the will of the people, as reflected by the Legislature, if those policies are challenged in court. I will defer to the will of the Legislature and the actions of state officials. I will also comply with my oath to protect and defend the U.S. and Texas constitutions.
George P. Bush
Occupation: Texas Land Commissioner
Age: 45
Campaign website: GeorgePBush.com
Best way for voters to reach you: TeamP@GeorgePBush.com
Education: B.S. Rice University, J.D. University of Texas
Have you run for or held elected office before? Yes, Texas Land Commissioner (2015-2022)
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held): In 2006, I joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. I spent two years at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth. From 2009 to 2010, I supported the Navy Reserve Joint Intelligence Center U.S. Central Command.
In June of 2010, I was mobilized for an 8-month tour of duty at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Afterwards, I returned to the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth to provide support for the U.S. Southern Command before resigning my commission in June 2017.
I co-chaired a $30 million capital campaign for Big Brothers Big Sisters in North Texas and served as the co-chairman of the Dallas/Fort Worth Celebration of Reading. I was the Tarrant County chairman for Uplift Education — a highly successful Dallas-based public charter network focused on closing the achievement gap in inner city public schools. In addition, I also served on the Board of Trustees for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain. No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain. No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Alexander and Lindsay Davis, Ray Hunt, Trevor Rees-Jones
Why are you seeking this office? I am running for AG to give Republicans, Conservatives, and Texans alike an AG that will fight and win against the Biden Administration’s federal overreach, protect our rights & constitutional freedoms & bring faith & confidence back to an office tarnished with personal corruption and scandal.
I will restore leadership and integrity to our state AG’s office & ensure that our state’s leading law enforcement agent is above reproach. For years we have been hearing about indictments against our sitting AG, and most recently, the ongoing FBI investigation into his abuse of power. It’s an embarrassment to our state.
I am the only candidate in this race who can step into the AG’s office on day one, ready to go. As Land Commissioner, I have executive management experience, overseeing an agency of over 800 staff, and administering a budget of $2.5 billion. Not only that, I have a proven track record of reforming government to make it more responsive, reliable, & fiscally efficient.
What are the biggest challenges facing the state and how should the AG’s office respond? The biggest issue facing our state is border security. The federal government has abandoned the Texas border. Securing our borders will be my first order of business. I will ensure our border patrol is fully funded and stop drug cartels and illegal immigrants from coming into our state. As Attorney General, I will hold the federal government accountable for its failure to follow the laws on the books and secure our borders. I’ve proposed a mobile prosecution unit to support of Operation Lone Star to assist in prosecution of trespassing charges.
The increase in violent crime across our state means that we need our men and women in blue more than ever before. We must put an end to the anti-police rhetoric and give our law enforcement the tools needed to keep our state safe and put dangerous criminals behind bars.
What would your top 3 priorities be as AG? I will secure our borders and elections, stand up to the federal government to protect Texans constitutional liberties, defend and stand with law enforcement & restore integrity back to the Office of Attorney General.
Secure the Border- Our borders are overwhelmed with violent cartel activity, human smuggling, and a massive surge of illegal drugs. I will work with the Gov. to deploy more National Guard troops, toughen criminal penalties on drug smugglers & human traffickers, & finish President Trump’s wall.
Restore Government Accountability-Taxpayers deserve accountability from gov. I will eliminate wasteful spending, implement zero-based budgeting, transparency & improve the decision-making process by reducing bureaucracy and ensure that the contracting process is above board.
Defend our Law Enforcement- I will fight radical liberal policies & anti-police rhetoric, prioritize recruiting Texas’s most talented police officers to investigate Texas’s top crimes & enhance public safety
What would you do to improve the performance of the child-support division? The top four issues affecting the child support division from an AG perspective is 1) an outdated and antiquated system that needs to be simplified and streamlined 2) unscrupulous employers have been known to pocket child support payments via withholding money in paychecks; 3) interstate child support conflicts (orders in two or more states); and, 4) parents using the independent contractor scheme to cheat the system. We must utilize internal data to sort “deadbeat dads” from “deadbroke dads” and develop procedures to determine whether punitive enforcement, referral services, or modification are appropriate. This also means connecting non-custodial parents to employment services.
Should Texas have sued to challenge the election results of four battleground states in the U.S. Supreme Court? Why or why not? As the Supreme Court ruled, the lawsuit that Ken Paxton filed lacked legal standing and created concerns for Constitutional Conservatives. As a firm believer in the 10th amendment, Texas has no standing to challenge other states election laws, no more than New Yorkers or Californians can challenge Texas abortion laws.
Instead of suing over the results, Texas would have been better suited to deploy attorneys and legally assist the actual battleground locations to challenge legal standards and watch vote counts to prevent inaccuracies. The best example that can be shared is legal strategy behind Bush v. Gore which challenged application of Florida law to facts on the ground.
How would you handle access to records and transparency as AG? The current AG has turned his back on transparency & accountability. The number of open records requests has soared in recent years upwards of 30,000 per year, yet the number of attorneys & staff reviewing the claims has not symbiotically increased. It is straining the division & calling into question the legitimacy & accuracy of each decision. A simple solution would be to increase the staff in the Open Records Division. I would also advocate for increasing disciplinary actions on those that fail to follow TPIA, statutorily define what business days are, decrease decision times, and expand free access to statewide public access portal.
How would you interact with the federal government as AG? The Biden Administration, through their policies, is assaulting the Texas way of life. I will send a clear message to the Biden Administration on day one- your leftist ideas are not welcome here. Let Texas, be Texas. The Texas Attorney General is the first line of defense against radical ideas from a democrat controlled national government. I have vast experience litigating against bureaucrats in DC on federal overreach, and I will bring those same skills to the AG’s office.
How should the AG interact with state leaders, including the governor, lt. governor and members of the legislature? It is imperative for the AG to have a direct working relationship with other state leaders and the legislature. Texas has been successful because we work together. The scandals plaguing our current Attorney General have caused the legislature to lose all confidence in him, ultimately stripping many of the powers away. This has left Texas with one of the weaker AG’s offices in the nation, with no areas of original jurisdiction over areas like human trafficking, public corruption and crimes against law enforcement. As AG, I will work hand in hand with the legislature, Governor, and Lt. Governor to ensure that Texans’ best interests are represented in the courthouse.
Louie Gohmert
Occupation: Congressman/Public Servant
Age: 68
Campaign website: https://gohmert.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Phone: 903.705.3705
Education:
Texas A&M, BA; Honors Program; Class Pres; Brigade Commander; Who’s Who; Ross Volunteer; Army Scholarship; Distinguished Student; Distinguished Military Grad; Pres, Cadet Court; Baptist Student Ministry; Summer Exchange Student to Soviet Union.
Baylor Law, J.D.; Class Pres; Winner: Moot Court, Best Brief, & Law Review article Award; Pres, Moot Court Society.
Have you run for or held elected office before?
- Elected 7th District Court Judge 1992, 1996, 2000
- Appointed Chief Justice, 12th Court of Appeals by Gov. Rick Perry
- Elected to US Congress in 2004 over incumbent Democrat; now serving 9th consecutive term.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Deacon, Green Acres Baptist Church; Pres, South Tyler Rotary Club; Rotary District Asst. Gov;Advisory Board Member, Institute for Transnational Arbitration; Who’s Who in American Law; Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International; Chair, NE Texas-SE Oklahoma Rotary District Conference; Board of Advisors, Texas Baptist Leadership Center; VP Boy Scout District Bd; Director, Leadership Tyler; Smith County Local Administrative Judge; Region I Rep (including Dallas to Texarkana), TX Association of District Judges; State Bar of Texas Jury Comm; Director, Centrepoint Ministries; Pres & Director, Texas Aggie Bar Assoc; Director & VP, A&M Former Students Assoc; Texas Aggie Lawyer of the Year
Congress: Judiciary Committee: Chair, Crime, Terrorism & Homeland Security; Constitution, Civil Rights & Civil Liberties; Courts, Intellectual Property & Internet; Immigration & Citizenship Subcommittees; Natural Resources: Vice-chair, Oversight Chair. House Freedom Caucus Director.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain. No, but I have been involved in criminal proceedings as an attorney, an Assistant District Attorney, District/Felony Judge, and Chief Justice. Though I am supportive of Capital Punishment in appropriate cases, I was court-appointed to appeal a Capital Murder conviction in the 1980’s as sole appellate attorney; he had not gotten a fair trial; so I was successful in getting the conviction overturned at the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain. No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Mayes Middleton
Matt Krause
RH Seale III
Why are you seeking this office? As Franklin said, this is a republic if you can keep it. Our representative government is in grave danger of being replaced by an Orwellian, totalitarian power that overrides and denies representative government. I am running for Attorney General because General Paxton has placed the position in tremendous jeopardy due to personal and professional indiscretions, and we cannot have the office occupied by someone who has been found by his highest ranking staff to have violated the very laws he was supposed to protect. Texans deserve an Attorney General who is motivated to enforce the law with integrity, and who will use all the legal tools available to perpetuate a peaceful and stable state of Texas.
What are the biggest challenges facing the state and how should the AG’s office respond? The Attorney General has placed Texas in severe jeopardy by running for reelection. With an indictment on his record, and investigations for multiple indiscretions, he has brought the DOJ and FBI into Texas politics.
Additionally, we must secure the border from invasion as the US Constitution requires the federal government to do. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, only the federal government is permitted to enforce immigration. However, every state has the right to defend itself from invasion, especially when the federal government refuses to comply with its Article IV guarantee. If a foreigners can and must be prevented from entering Texas anywhere but the authorized ports of entry.
Election fraud must be stopped using lawsuits and injunctions, and also prosecuted. The laws and even Texas Constitution must be changed to insure the AG has the tools to secure our elections. Legislators I talk to are willing.
What would your top 3 priorities be as AG?
We must restore honesty and integrity so AG staff can know they don’t have to choose between keeping their jobs or doing what is right. Integrity also includes preventing the unlawful invasion into our State across our border.
Second, we must use the civil courts to enjoin election improprieties and amend the Texas Constitution and law to allow the AG to prosecute election fraud wherever it is found in Texas. The suit that made Paxton popular with Republicans was against swing states for changing election laws without the state legislature. Paxton failed to advise the Texas Governor not to change election laws by decree, so the Governor did, and Paxton knew that doomed any suit he filed, but he filed it to change the narrative away from his criminal allegations.
Third, when any state, local or even federal leaders abuse their power and institute unconstitutional MANDATES, the AG must take action to enjoin such actions.
What would you do to improve the performance of the child-support division? There need to be changes, including legislative, to make the system more fair. Legislation is needed to ensure that all sexes, races, creeds, national origins, religions (without prejudice against Christianity or Biblical teaching and morals) are treated equally. But our entire AG office also needs a complete reassessment of the attorneys, staff and management practices. It is taking far too long to get actions completed in individual cases to get the money where it is needed more timely. That reorganization will be a priority.
Should Texas have sued to challenge the election results of four battleground states in the U.S. Supreme Court? Why or why not? Texas was in no position to challenge those results based on the failure of those states to change election law ONLY by that states legislature. Even though it made him popular with Republicans, AG Paxton failed to advise our Texas Governor not to change election laws by decree. Since the Governor did that, AG Paxton knew that his actions doomed any suit he filed charging other states for having done the same. Texas did not have “clean hands” and should not have filed it. I do believe another state that was in compliance with the US Constitution, like South Carolina, could have filed the lawsuit.
How would you handle access to records and transparency as AG? Every single elected or appointed office-holder should have someone to whom that official is accountable. Those who hold them accountable should themselves have someone to whom they must account for money spent and actions taken or not taken. The law must be followed and records that are legally accessible must be disclosed as the law requires. If not disclosed, the AG must take action to reveal them.
How would you interact with the federal government as AG? I would defend the laws and constitution of the United States as well as those of Texas. When the federal government oversteps its bounds or fails to perform the duties assigned to it, it would be my responsibility to stand up for the rights of the state of Texas and the people of Texas. Whether that involves issuing an opinion, filing a lawsuit, or arguing the case at the Supreme Court, my duty is to uphold the laws of the land. I would defend Texas against unconstitutional intrusion into powers reserved to the states and the people. The first step is normally to resolve it amicably if that is possible. If not, use the courts.
How should the AG interact with state leaders, including the governor, lt. governor and members of the legislature? Similar to the federal level, I would defend the laws and constitution of the United States and the state of Texas. Beyond being willing to take legal action against the state of Texas if necessary, I would also provide legal counsel to our governor and lieutenant governor on areas of responsibility under the executive branch. For instance on the issue of Covid-related mandates, we would have needed to discuss the limitations on executive powers to close businesses or entities and made sure that was disclosed to county judges and mayors, to avoid the AG having to sue them and publicly cause embarrassment. Regarding the legislature, where there are areas of ambiguity on the specific prosecutorial duties of the Attorney General, I would recommend the passage of legislation and a constitutional amendment that clarifies that the Attorney General does and would have the authority to prosecute election fraud where it is found and the local District Attorney is unwilling to do his/her job.
