Paxton’s defense also said the Texas Senate should toss out the impeachment articles because the allegations happened before Paxton’s most recent election.
They call it the “prior-term doctrine.” Paxton’s lawyers cite the Texas Constitution and say only offenses that happened after November 2022 — Paxton’s most recent election — could be grounds for impeachment.
But the Texas Constitution is not that explicit. It only says a person cannot be impeached for offenses committed before their election to office. It doesn’t specify if that means their first election to a position or their most recent reelection.
“Those crimes are so last year!”
- Ken Paxton
and it’ll work because it’s texas; i’m so glad to have left hat shit hole.
Cal Jillson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University, said Lt. Gov. Patrick will ultimately be the decider on how to interpret that constitutional language.
Well, if Dan’s the decider then it’s a foregone conclusion; he’ll keep the triumvirate, Abbott, Patrick & Paxton, intact.
