Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, has been facing impeachment proceedings for several months now. The impeachment trial is being held in the Texas House of Representatives, and it has been a contentious affair with many twists and turns. However, one recent development in the trial has caught the attention of many people: Ken Paxton’s wife was denied voting rights in the trial.
The reason for this denial is that Ken Paxton’s wife, Angela Paxton, is a Texas state senator. As a result, she is considered to have a conflict of interest in the impeachment trial. The Texas Constitution prohibits state senators from participating in impeachment trials of state officials. This is to prevent any potential bias or conflicts of interest from affecting the outcome of the trial.
Angela Paxton was not happy about being denied voting rights in the trial. In a statement, she said that she was “disappointed” by the decision and that she had “a right to vote on behalf of my constituents.” However, her argument did not hold up under scrutiny. The Texas Constitution is clear on this matter, and there is no exception for state senators who are also married to the defendant in an impeachment trial.
The decision to deny Angela Paxton voting rights in the trial was made by the presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives, Speaker Dade Phelan. Phelan cited the Texas Constitution as his authority for the decision. He said that he had consulted with legal experts and had determined that Angela Paxton’s participation in the trial would violate the Constitution.
The decision has been controversial, with some people arguing that Angela Paxton should have been allowed to vote. However, most legal experts agree that the decision was correct. The Texas Constitution is clear on this matter, and there is no room for interpretation or exceptions.
The impeachment trial of Ken Paxton is still ongoing, and it is unclear what the outcome will be. However, one thing is certain: Angela Paxton will not be able to vote in the trial. This is a reminder that even high-ranking officials are subject to the laws and rules of their state, and that conflicts of interest must be avoided at all costs.
