Was Ken Paxton impeached? Yes. The Texas House of Representatives
impeached then-Attorney General Ken Paxton in May 2023 after approving
20 articles accusing him of misconduct connected to his office,
including allegations involving Austin real estate developer Nate Paul,
misuse of government powers and retaliation against employees who raised
concerns. However, the story did not end with removal. The Texas Senate
held an impeachment trial later that year and acquitted Paxton on every
article that reached a vote.
That distinction remains important in 2026 because Paxton is once again
at the center of Texas politics. He is still serving as attorney general
and is the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, facing Democratic
nominee James Talarico in a closely watched November election.
Why Ken Paxton Was Impeached
Paxton’s impeachment grew out of allegations that had followed his
tenure as Texas attorney general for several years.
A central part of the controversy involved Nate Paul, an Austin real
estate developer who had financial and personal connections with Paxton.
Several senior employees in the attorney general’s office alleged in
2020 that Paxton had improperly used the powers and resources of his
office to assist Paul.
The employees reported their concerns to federal authorities. They
alleged that Paxton directed staff to take actions that benefited Paul
and that some of those actions fell outside the normal responsibilities
of the attorney general’s office.
After the employees were dismissed, they filed a whistleblower lawsuit.
Their allegations eventually became an important part of the political
and legal controversy surrounding Paxton.
The Texas House later investigated the matter and developed a much
broader impeachment case. The resulting articles covered alleged abuse
of official power, improper appointments, retaliation, misuse of public
resources and other alleged misconduct.
Paxton consistently denied wrongdoing and argued that the impeachment
effort was politically motivated.
The Texas House Took the Historic Step in 2023
On May 27, 2023, the Texas House voted to impeach Paxton.
The House approved 20 articles of impeachment, making the action one of
the most consequential political events in modern Texas history. Paxton
was temporarily suspended from performing the duties of attorney general
while the case moved to the Senate.
The vote was particularly significant because impeachment of a statewide
elected official is rare in Texas.
The House’s action did not itself mean Paxton had been permanently
removed from office. Under the Texas Constitution, the House has the
authority to impeach, while the Senate is responsible for conducting the
trial and deciding whether an official should be convicted and removed.
That constitutional division ultimately determined Paxton’s political
fate.
What Happened During the Senate Trial?
The Texas Senate convened as a court of impeachment in September 2023.
The proceedings attracted national attention. Senators heard testimony
from witnesses, examined evidence and considered arguments from House
prosecutors and Paxton’s defense team.
The allegations included claims that Paxton had used his position to
benefit Paul and had improperly intervened in matters involving the
developer.
The trial also included testimony about other personal and political
controversies surrounding Paxton. His relationship with Paul, the
treatment of whistleblowers and allegations concerning the use of state
resources all became part of the broader discussion.
The trial lasted approximately two weeks and placed Texas Republican
politics under an unusually intense national spotlight.
Paxton did not personally testify before the Senate. His legal team
argued that the House’s allegations did not establish grounds for
removal and challenged the credibility and legal significance of the
evidence presented by House prosecutors.
The Senate Acquitted Ken Paxton
On September 16, 2023, the Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16
articles that were formally considered during the trial.
Four additional articles had been held in abeyance and were dismissed at
the end of the proceedings.
The result meant Paxton remained attorney general.
The Texas Senate required 21 votes for conviction and removal. No
article received enough support to reach that threshold.
This is the key reason it is inaccurate to say Paxton was removed from
office following his impeachment. He was impeached by the House, but he
was acquitted by the Senate.
The outcome also meant the impeachment did not create a legal barrier
preventing Paxton from continuing his political career.
Why the Difference Between Impeachment and Removal Matters
Impeachment and removal are separate stages of the process.
In simple terms, impeachment is the formal charging process. Removal
requires a subsequent conviction through the Senate trial.
In Paxton’s case, the House approved articles accusing him of
misconduct. The Senate then conducted the trial but did not convict him.
Therefore, the correct description is that Paxton was impeached and
acquitted.
This distinction has become especially important as Paxton campaigns for
the U.S. Senate in 2026. His opponents frequently cite the impeachment
as part of his political record, while Paxton and his supporters point
to the Senate acquittal as the final outcome.
Both facts can be true at the same time.
The Whistleblower Case Continued After the Impeachment
The political controversy did not disappear after the Senate trial.
The former employees who had raised concerns about Paxton continued
their legal fight. In 2025, a Texas judge ordered the state to pay
approximately $6.6 million to former Paxton whistleblowers in
connection with their lawsuit.
The judgment became another point of discussion during the 2026 Senate
campaign.
Paxton did not appeal the judgment and has not admitted wrongdoing in
connection with the allegations. Separate investigations associated with
the allegations involving Paul had also ended without criminal action
against Paxton.
The whistleblower dispute remains relevant because several former
officials who were involved in the original allegations later spoke
publicly about Paxton’s conduct.
In September 2026, David Maxwell, a former top law-enforcement official
in the attorney general’s office who testified during Paxton’s
impeachment trial, endorsed Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
That development brought the 2023 impeachment back into the political
conversation during the final weeks of the 2026 election campaign.
Paxton’s Separate Legal History
The impeachment was not the only major legal controversy surrounding
Paxton.
He had also faced a long-running securities-fraud case that originated
before he became attorney general. In 2024, that case ended through a
pretrial resolution that included restitution, community service and
legal-ethics education.
The resolution did not result in a criminal conviction.
Paxton has continued to deny wrongdoing in the various controversies
that have followed him throughout his political career.
For voters, these separate matters can sometimes become blurred
together. The 2023 impeachment, the whistleblower lawsuit and the
securities-fraud case were distinct proceedings with different
allegations and outcomes.
Keeping them separate is essential to understanding Paxton’s record.
Where Ken Paxton Stands in October 2026
Paxton remains Texas attorney general as the 2026 election season
reaches its final stage.
The Texas attorney general’s office continues to operate under his
leadership, while Paxton is simultaneously campaigning for the U.S.
Senate.
His Senate campaign began with a major Republican primary contest
against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton defeated Cornyn in the May
2026 Republican runoff, securing the GOP nomination.
He now faces Talarico in the November 3 general election.
The race has attracted substantial national attention because Texas has
been reliably Republican in statewide elections for decades, yet polling
and campaign activity have suggested a much more competitive contest
than Republicans would normally expect.
Why the Impeachment Is Back in the Spotlight
Paxton’s impeachment has become a recurring issue in the Senate race
because voters are evaluating his record as a statewide official before
deciding whether to send him to Washington.
Democrats have argued that the impeachment, whistleblower dispute and
other controversies demonstrate a pattern of conduct that should
disqualify Paxton from higher office.
Paxton’s campaign has taken a different approach, emphasizing
conservative policy positions, his record as attorney general and his
ability to challenge Democratic policies.
Republicans have also invested heavily in the race. Recent campaign
reporting shows major Republican spending designed to strengthen
Paxton’s position as Election Day approaches.
The result is a campaign in which Paxton’s past legal and political
controversies are competing directly with broader issues such as the
economy, healthcare, immigration and the balance of power in Washington.
The 2026 Senate Race Could Define Paxton’s Next Chapter
The Senate contest represents a major test for Paxton.
A victory would allow him to move from Texas state government into the
U.S. Senate and would give him a national platform. A defeat would leave
questions about his next political move, particularly because his term
as attorney general is also approaching its end.
The race is already attracting national Republican attention. President
Donald Trump has backed Paxton, and national GOP groups have committed
substantial resources to the contest.
At the same time, Democrats see the race as an unusual opportunity in a
state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in more than
three decades.
That competitive environment has ensured that Paxton’s past remains part
of the campaign.
What the 2023 Impeachment Means Legally Today
The impeachment itself does not currently place Paxton under an active
legislative proceeding.
The Senate trial concluded in 2023. The Senate acquitted him, and he
continued serving as attorney general.
There is therefore no ongoing impeachment case against Paxton arising
from the 2023 proceedings.
The significance today is primarily political and historical. The
impeachment is part of his record as attorney general and is frequently
cited by supporters and opponents when discussing his fitness for higher
office.
His Senate candidacy means the controversy has gained renewed attention
rather than disappearing from public debate.
A Simple Timeline of the Paxton Controversy
2020: Whistleblower allegations emerge
Senior officials in the attorney general’s office reported allegations
concerning Paxton’s conduct and his relationship with Nate Paul. Several
of those officials were later dismissed and pursued a whistleblower
lawsuit.
May 2023: House impeachment
The Texas House approved 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton. The
action temporarily suspended him from his duties while the case moved to
the Senate.
September 2023: Senate trial
The Texas Senate conducted Paxton’s impeachment trial, hearing testimony
and arguments from both sides.
September 16, 2023: Acquittal
The Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16 articles considered during the
trial. Four additional articles were dismissed.
2024: Securities-fraud case resolved
A separate securities-fraud case ended through a pretrial resolution
rather than a criminal conviction.
2025: Whistleblower judgment
A court ordered Texas to pay about $6.6 million to former Paxton
whistleblowers. Paxton did not appeal the judgment.
2026: Senate campaign
Paxton defeated John Cornyn in the Republican Senate runoff and became
the GOP nominee. He is now facing James Talarico in the November general
election.
The Bottom Line on Ken Paxton’s Impeachment
Ken Paxton’s 2023 impeachment remains one of the most consequential
episodes of his career, but it did not end his time in public office.
The Texas House impeached him after approving 20 articles of
impeachment. The Texas Senate then conducted a trial and acquitted him
on all 16 articles it considered. Because the Senate did not convict
him, Paxton was not removed as attorney general.
That distinction is central to understanding his current political
position.
In 2026, Paxton is still serving as Texas attorney general while running
as the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. His impeachment, the
whistleblower litigation and his broader legal history are all being
revisited as voters consider his record.
The November election will determine whether Paxton’s next chapter is in
Washington or whether his political career takes another turn in Texas.
Do you think Paxton’s 2023 impeachment should influence the 2026
Senate vote? Share your view and stay with us for the latest Texas
election developments.