SEN. KOLKHORST VOTES TO DISMISS IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST KEN PAXTON

  

State Senator Lois Kolkhorst was one of six Republican senators on Tuesday who voted to dismiss all articles of impeachment in their entirety against Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The vote to throw out all articles being heard by the Senate ended 24-6, with Kolkhorst joined by Paul Bettencourt of Houston, Donna Campbell of New Braunfels, Brandon Creighton of Conroe, Bob Hall of Edgewood and Tan Parker of Flower Mound. 

None of the motions to dismiss a single article received more than 10 votes out of the 30 senators – 18 Republicans and 12 Democrats – voting in the trial.  Republican Senator Angela Paxton, Ken’s wife, is not able to vote. 

Paxton was impeached by the Texas House in May and suspended from his duties, facing allegations that include bribery and abuse of office.  He has pleaded not guilty to each of the impeachment articles.

A two-thirds majority is required in the Senate to convict Paxton, which would remove him from office.  The trial could last for weeks. 

Kolkhorst’s communications office told KWHI that they are unable to comment while the trial is ongoing.  Prior to the start of the trial, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick issued a gag order intended to keep proceedings impartial.

The impeachment trial can be watched at https://senate.texas.gov.