Unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State show Attorney General Ken Paxton soundly defeated his Republican challenger, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, in Tuesday’s primary runoff election.
The mood at Paxton’s Cedar Park watch party was celebratory as supporters waited for the attorney general to officially proclaim victory.
As Paxton took the stage, cheers rang through the room.
“It’s really Texans that made the difference for me,” says Paxton, “And we will go fight together.”
“We will fight him [Biden] to the nail,” Paxton said, “We will fight the federal government.”
“It is Texas who will decide the future,” proclaimed Paxton.
Serving as the state’s attorney general since 2014, Paxton campaigned on his record of fighting federal overreach and the Biden administration, working to secure elections, and supporting President Trump’s “America First” agenda. Trump endorsed Paxton for re-election.
However, Paxton has faced his own challenges, including politically motivated accusations of securities fraud (which federal courts have dismissed but state courts drag on) and the recent ”witch hunt” investigation by the State Bar of Texas. Nevertheless, Paxton has overcome these accusations in his campaign to win the GOP nomination.
Meanwhile, Bush—part of a political dynasty that now seems to be fading—has served as Texas land commissioner since 2014.
Bush faced severe criticism from the grassroots as land commissioner for his plans to “reimagine” the Alamo and move the Alamo Cenotaph—which were ultimately defeated by citizens’ actions—and is rarely seen in the land commissioner’s office, according to staff.
He campaigned for attorney general on promises of border security, human trafficking intervention, and defending law enforcement by working with local district attorneys in liberal cities.
However, State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R–Lakeway), who is running for Bush’s current position of land commissioner, is also campaigning on the promise of securing the border. She is pledging to finish President Trump’s border wall on state lands, raising the question of what Bush has been doing for border security for the past eight years.
Paxton raised more than $2 million for this runoff election and spent $2.6 million, while Bush raised $2.3 million and spent more than $2.7 million.
Paxton will face Democrat nominee Rochelle Garza in November.
Updated to include statements from Paxton.
