Paxton Easily Defeats Bush, Will Face ACLU Attorney Garza In November

[#TexasPolitics365]

Attorney General Ken Paxton handily won the Republican runoff election against land commissioner George P. Bush last night.

Paxton one with 68% of the vote, to Bush's 32%. Paxton was able to Garner over 70% of the vote in almost all of the states 254 counties, with Bush only winning four, including some of the state's least populous areas.

In a written concession statement posted late Tuesday night, Bush said he hoped that Gov. Greg Abbott would protect the border, implying that Paxton would not. Bush did not mention Paxton by name in his statement.

The campaign was an ugly one, with Bush at one point posing with a cardboard cutout of Paxton, portrayed as wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, alluding to his legal woes, which his Democrat opponent will surely bring up in the general election.

Bush was hurt by his stance on the Alamo, part of which he advocated moving during renovations. The fact that he hails from the Bush political dynasty also hurt him with many Republicans, who were cognizant of the fact that Bush likely would eventually seek higher office, perhaps even the presidency.  Dynasties are not terribly popular with Republicans.

Any such political aspirations are likely on hold now, but defeat seems to never be final for family members. His grandfather, George HW Bush, lost at US Senate raised before winning a spot in Congress, catapulting him to other positions that led eventually to the presidency.

Word in Republican circles is that Bush will write a book while pondering his next steps.

Paxton's Democrat opponent will be ACLU attorney Rochelle Garza, who defeated former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski 63% to 37%.

(Full story HERE
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Paxton Ad Condemns Bush's "Woke" Plan To "Reimagine The Alamo"

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The campaign of Attorney General Ken Paxton has released a new ad taking aim at  his opponent, George P. Bush, accusing the Texas Land Commissioner of pursuing a "woke reimagining" of the Alamo, and attempts to tie Bush to the "Radical Left."

The 30-second advertisement posted to YouTube on Monday characterized Bush, the eldest child of former Florida governor Jeb Bush and nephew of former U.S. president George W. Bush, as a "liberal land commissioner" bent on reshaping the historic Texas landmark.

"The radical left wants to destroy our heritage," a deep voice intones during the ad.

For his part, on the campaign trail Bush has stated that the reimagining plan was not his, but was a proposal by the San Antonio City Council. However, he has taken ownership of an original idea to move the nearby cenotaph honoring those who died at the Alamo. But he says that plan was abandoned due to fierce opposition.

(Full story HERE)
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Bush Joins Calls To Declare Immigration Crisis An "Invasion" Of Southern Border

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Land Commissioner George P. Bush this week became one of the few major candidates in Texas to call for the state to take the step of declaring illegal border crossings an “invasion” under the Constitution in order to expel migrants immediately, bypassing the federal government’s authority over immigration.

Bush, who will face off against Attorney General Ken Paxton in the May 24 Republican primary runoff, said Thursday that “Texas has been left with no choice” but to take drastic action because President Joe Biden — and Paxton — won’t.

(Full story HERE.)
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Bush Portrays AG Paxton in Orange Prisoner Jumpsuit In Facebook Video

[#TexasPolitics365]

Land Commissioner George P. Bush, in his campaign to become attorney general, again attacked his runoff opponent, incumbent Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a Facebook video Friday afternoon.

Standing in front of the Williamson County courthouse next to a half-size cardboard cutout portraying Paxton wearing an orange jumpsuit, Bush brought up the ongoing investigation into Paxton, Bush said he faces three felony counts that could result in 90 years in prison in Harris county, where the charges were leveled.  

"It's been seven years that he's been avoiding trial. If he was as innocent as he proclaims, then he would sit down right now in front of a jury of his peers... But he is guilty and he knows the best way to stay out of jail is to get reelected and to do whatever it takes and say whatever it requires in order to get reelected."

(Full story HERE.)
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In Ugly AG Runoff, Bush And Paxton Launch Dueling Attack Sites

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In a sign of the Republican runoff race for attorney general is getting ugly and personal, Attorney General Ken Paxton's campaign has launched an attack website against his runoff opponent, Land Commissioner George P. Bush, georgepbushfacts.com, prompting Bush to launch one of his own.

The site calls Bush a "Republican in name only" (RINO): "Land Commissioner George P. Bush: The RINO Establishment Darling Who Has Sold Out Texas"

Striking at a very sensitive topic for conservative voters, the site starts by saying:

"The Alamo and its brave defenders are a deeply cherished part of Texas history, but Land Commissioner George P. Bush controversially demanded that the Cenotaph, the monument that honors our Texas heroes, be moved from the Alamo."

Bush has said that while he initially supported moving the monument, he quickly backed off the idea when it was apparent it had no public support.

The website continues by attacking Bush's response to Hurricane Harvey with allegedly slow disaster aid, it attacks him for his support of the DREAM act, which would give children of illegal aliens citizenship, and says that he is "bought and paid for" by Democrats and RINOS.

Bush responded with an attack site of his own, kenthecrook.com.

Bush's site calls out, "Crooked Ken Paxton," saying, "Ken Paxton is nothing more than a corrupt career politician who does not have the moral fortitude to serve in any elected position in Texas."

In language that could easily be used by a Democrat against Paxton if he wins the runoff, the site states: "THIS MAN DOESN'T RESPECT THE LAW. AND HE DOESN'T RESPECT YOU. IT'S TIME TO FIRE KEN PAXTON."

Bush has continually asserted on the campaign trail that Paxton is too damaged to win against a Democrat in the fall election.

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Alamo Cenotaph Won't Be Moved After Lawsuit Settlement

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Parties in a lawsuit involving the relocation of the historic cenotaph at the Alamo in San Antonio have reached a quiet settlement.

Litigation was initiated more than two years ago by the Alamo Defenders Descendants Association and leading member Lee Spencer White, who brought claims against the city of San Antonio, Alamo Trust Inc., the Texas General Land Office (GLO), Land Commissioner George P. Bush, and the Texas Historical Commission regarding actions relating to the Alamo Plan.

San Antonio, the GLO, and Alamo Trust agree not to re-inter any human remains discovered on the grounds of the Alamo complex before Sept. 1, 2023

San Antonio, the GLO, and Alamo Trust agreed in the settlement not to apply for any future permits from the Texas Historical Commission to relocate the Cenotaph, under which it is believed the remains of the Alamo's defenders were buried. DNA testing is underway to determine whether this is the case.

(Full story HERE.)
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George P. Bush Looks To Make Alliances To Beat AG Paxton

[#TexasPolitics365]

After a bruising primary, George P. Bush is looking to mend some fences and make up ground on the incumbent attorney general.  

And he has less than 90 days to do it all.

“The basic math is this, that if we get a preponderance of Louis [Gohmert] supporters and Eva [Guzman] supporters and bring our people back out to the polls, we win this thing,” Bush said on Inside Texas Politics. “Close to 60% of Republicans chose to go on a different path when they saw the incumbent on that ballot.”

(Full story HERE.)
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Endorses AG Paxton In Runoff

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Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush was probably hoping that statewide elected officials were going to stay out of the runoff race for Texas Attorney General. And if they didn't stay out, he was for sure hoping to get their support.

But that won't be happening with Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick. Patrick, who did not endorse a candidate prior to Monday, announced his endorsement of Ken Paxton who is seeking reelection as Texas Attorney General. 

The announcement came via a press release on Monday morning and was short and to the point. According to a press release from Patrick, "Texans can't find a more ardent defender of the people's rights than Ken Paxton."

(Full story HERE
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AG Paxton Faces Runoff With Bush

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is headed toward a primary runoff against Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Paxton, the two-term incumbent, boasted the largest campaign war chest and the support of former President Donald Trump. But in a field of four candidates, he was unable to secure more than 50% of the vote to avoid a runoff election, setting the embattled attorney general on the defensive in the biggest fight of his political life.

Bush narrowly managed entry into the runoff by edging passed Judge Eva Guzman Tuesday night. Bush and Guzman traded barbs near the end of the campaign about each other's commitment to building a wall on the southern border.

Bush has been heard during campaign events calling Paxton an "indicted felon," although he has not been convicted of any crime. Paxton's 2015 indictment on corruption charges has been a focus of Bush's campaign. Paxton says the indictment had been politically motivated, and has successfully delayed any prosecution attempts.

Opponents of Bush have raised the issue of his handling of the Alamo and plans to move the near-sacred cenotaph monument at the Alamo site, and to  "reimagine" the visitor's center there to enhance the Mexican side of the formative Texas 1836 battle.

Democrats also are facing a runoff in the attorney general's race, with Civil Rights Attorney Rochelle Garza gaining 43% of the core, and former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski and civil rights attorney Lee Merritt both coming in around 19%. 

(Full story HERE.)
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AG Candidates Bush And Guzman Trade Barbs Over Border Wall

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With the contentious 2022 Republican primary for Texas attorney general just days away, opponents George P. Bush and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman are attacking each other’s commitment to border security. 

Bush, who has served as commissioner of the Texas General Land Office since 2015, aired a campaign ad this week claiming that Guzman, a Republican, "opposes George P. Bush’s plan to finish Trump’s wall, calling it a ploy." 

(Full story HERE.)
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AG Candidate Bush Warns GOP Voters: Don't Nominate "Indicted Felon" Paxton

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Attorney General candidate George P. Bush, says AG Ken Paxton's an "indicted felon" who will lose against a Democrat if he's the Republican nominee.

Bush made the comments in Round Rock, during a Meet and Greet as part of his statewide "Texas First" tour. Nearly 60 people gathered at the Alcove Cantina to hear his remarks.

In addition to calling Paxton an "indicted felon," Bush said the AG's office "has run amok under Ken Paxton s watch. Ken Paxton will lose this race if he's the nominee."

Bush said he would "take the fight to liberal District Attorneys" like those in Austin and Houston, and pursue a Texas First policy, which includes finishing the border wall 

AG Ken Paxton has been indicted, and is under investigation, but not convicted of any crime. He is leading in the polls against Bush, Judge Eva Guzman, and Rep. Louis Gohmert.

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Attorney General's Opponents Hope To Capitalize On His Legal Troubles

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With the candidate filing deadline behind them, the attorney general’s challengers are jockeying to establish themselves as the best person to unseat him.

Four years ago, Republicans watched closely to see if Attorney General Ken Paxton — who had been battling a high-profile securities fraud indictment — would draw a last-minute primary challenger as the candidate filing deadline loomed for the 2018 primary.

But despite his apparent vulnerability, Paxton ran unopposed in his party on his way to a second term.

This election cycle, things are different. Paxton is facing what is shaping up to be the biggest, most contentious fight among Texas Republicans next year.

He's attracted three primary foes who are well known in Texas politics. They are Land Commissioner George P. Bush, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler.

Despite the odds, Paxton is still polling well ahead of his closest challenger, Bush, who, himself, is vulnerable to accusations that he mishandled renovations at the Alamo in San Antonio. 

Most controversially, Bush originally championed the removal of the Cenotaph memorial that some say sits atop the ashes of the martyred defenders who died on that site at the hands of Gen. Santa Ana's troops.

While he does take credit for that position on the Cenotaph, he says moves to reimagine the story of the Alamo - to tell the Mexicans side of the story within the facility - lies entirely with the San Antonio city council, and he says he never supported it. 

Bush's problem with conservatives is is exacerbated by the entry of gomert into the race. The conservative congressman is well respected in Republican circles and is expected to take votes away from Bush and Paxton.

(Full story here.)
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Paxton Has Commanding, 30-Point Lead In AG Race, Says UT/Tribune Poll

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Attorney General Ken Paxton has a 30-point lead in his bid to be re-elected Texas Attorney General in next year's Republican primary election, a University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll shows. 

Paxton has drawn a serious lineup of challengers, including Land Commissioner George P. Bush, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and Fort Worth state Rep. Matt Krause.

Paxton currently has the support of 48% of primary voters in the poll, with Bush far behind him at 16%. Krause and Guzman both polled below 4%.

Over a quarter of respondents, all registered GOP voters, said they have not thought about the primary enough to have an opinion on the AG race.

(Full story here.)
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Bush Says Paxton Will Be Defeated As AG By A Democrat If Nominated

[#TexasPolitics365]

George P. Bush has sharpened his criticism of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, warning Republican voters that a Democrat will beat the embattled incumbent, if he’s nominated for a third term in the March 1 primary.

Bush made the statement on a podcast for the Dallas Morning News.

The Land Commissioner is challenging Paxton, who is facing legal action by former employees of the AG's office. Paxton has sought to have the charges dismissed, saying they are politically motivated.

Bush faces Paxton and former Texas Supreme Court Judge Eva Guzman in the Republican primary race.

(Full story here. - Paywalled)
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New Poll Shows Abbott, Paxton Beating Primary Opponents

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A new Dallas Morning News/UT-Tyler poll shows Gov. Greg Abbott and attorney general Ken Paxton polling far higher than their primary rivals for the 2022 race.

Abbott bested rival Allen West 65% to 20% in the poll, and Sen. Don Huffines 70% to 15%. Paxton is shown with 43% support, Land Commissioner George P. Bush with 28% and Judge Eva Guzman with 5% support. 

But in troubling news for the two incumbents, perhaps, 54% said that the state was going in the "wrong direction," while only 44% said it was on "the right track."

Actor Matthew McConaughey, who has hinted at running for governor next year but has not made his intentions known, can take solace in the poll, which shows him beating Abbott 44% to 35% with 14% voting for an unnamed, "someone else."

But the poll shows Abbott defeating likely Democrat rival Beto O'Rourke, 42% to 37%.

(Full story here.)
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Rep. Matt Krause Joins Crowded GOP AG Primary

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Fort Worth Republican Rep. Matt Krause is the latest candidate to launch a 2022 bid against embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for his statewide office.

Krause on Thursday announced his bid for the seat. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman have previously announced campaigns for attorney general in the Republican primary. On the Democratic side, civil rights lawyer Lee Merritt is running for attorney general, as well as Galveston lawyer Joe Jaworski.

Krause said in his announcement, "It's more important than ever that we have an Attorney General who will focus completely on fighting to protect Texas."

(Full story here.)
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Attorney General Race Fundraising Figures Reported

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The Texas Ethics Commission has reported fundraising for the Republican primary for attorney general (July 7-Aug. 6)

Attorney General Ken Paxton drew $38,890 in donations, while Land Commissioner George P. Bush outraised Paxton, with a haul of $157,661.  ($6,040 of this was in-kind.) But Eva Guzman outraised both, taking in $192,911. According to a post by Texas Tribune reporter Patrick Svitek.

Meanwhile, Democrat AG candidate Lee Merritt of Dallas, who launched on July 13, outraised all three of the Republicans, reporting $285,000 in contributions.

Democrat Joe Jaworski has not yet reported for this period, said Svitek.

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#Texas Land Commissioner Bush Sue Biden Administration Over Unfinished Wall

[#TexasPolitics365] 

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush is suing the federal government for halting construction of a border wall begun during the Trump administration.

The Bush family member and Texas attorney general hopeful announced Wednesday, the latest Republican-led lawsuit against the Biden administration

(Full story here.)
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Bush Outraises Incumbent Paxton In AG Race

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Republican George P. Bush outraised the competition in the crowded race for Texas attorney general, but incumbent Ken Paxton maintains the largest campaign war chest heading into the 2022 race.

Bush, who currently leads the Texas General Land Office, raised $2.3 million, according to his campaign finance report. About $1.5 million came from Texas donors.

Paxton raised $1.8 million, while Eva Guzman, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, raised more than $1 million for what is likely to be the state’s most competitive GOP primary in 2022.

(Full story here.)
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Houston Surgeon Joins GOP Land Commissioner Primary Race

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A Houston heart surgeon and attorney is the latest candidate to join the race to replace retiring Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Dr. Jon Spiers announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for Land Commissioner on Thursday. 

According to his press release, Spiers is a veteran, heart surgeon, attorney and entrepreneur who is looking to “strengthen the General Land Office with bold, hands-on leadership to ensure a safer, stronger Texas that honors the past while building the future.”

He joins another doctor, State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, and Texas Real Estate Commissioner Weston Martinez in seeking the office being vacated by George P. Bush, who is challenging Attorney General Ken Paxton in the 2022 Republican primary.

(Full story here.)
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