Ken Paxton

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Kenneth Paxton, Jr.
Texas State Representative from District 70
In office
2003–2013
Texas State Senator from District 8 (Dallas and Collin counties)
Incumbent
Assumed office
2013
Preceded by Florence Shapiro
Personal details
Born (1962-12-23) December 23, 1962
Minot, North Dakota
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Angela Paxton
Residence McKinney, Texas
Alma mater Baylor University

University of Virginia School of Law

Occupation Lawyer, State legislator
Religion Christian

Kenneth Paxton, Jr. (born December 23, 1962), has been since 2013 a Republican member of the Texas Senate for District 8. The district includes the central western portion of Collin County, and includes parts of McKinney, Allen, Frisco, and other surrounding communities.[1]From 2008 to 2013, he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 70.

After one term in the state Senate, Paxton is a candidate for Attorney General of Texas in the Republican primary scheduled for March 4, 2014. He faces Texas Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman and State Representative Dan Branch of Dallas County. The incumbent, Greg Abbott, is instead running for governor to succeed the retiring Rick Perry.

On November 11, 2010, entering his last term as a state representative, Paxton announced that he would run for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives against Speaker Joe Straus of District 121 in Bexar County and fellow Republican Warren Chisum of District 88 in Pampa, Texas. Paxton expressed his feelings that,
"On Election Day, we witnessed a monumental shift in the political climate, and I believe that historic opportunities demand bold action in defense of our conservative values. Voters across Texas sent a clear message that they favor leadership dedicated to protecting our freedoms and fighting government growth. Texans have provided us with an historic mandate, and they expect us to use this mandate to honestly advance conservative principles and not simply protect the status quo. These goals can only be accomplished with a conservative Speaker."[2]
Straus was nevertheless elected to his second term as Speaker.


Early career

Paxton attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in 1981 studying Psychology. In 1985 he was elected Student Body President of Baylor University's Student Government Association.[3] He graduated the same year and continued his education at Baylor, attending the Hankamer School of Business earning his MBA in 1986. Paxton then worked for two years as a management consultant before returning to school in 1988. He enrolled at University of Virginia School of Law and earned his J.D. in 1991.

He then joined the firm of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P from 1991 to 1995. He then went to work for J.C. Penney Company, Inc., as in-house legal counsel. In 2002 he left J.C. Penney to start his own firm specializing in estate planning, probate, real estate and general business matters and to run for office in Texas House District 70.

Since moving to the McKinney area, Ken Paxton has served on numerous local organizations and councils. These include being a Member of the Allen Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for Centennial Medical Center, Member/Former Board of Directors at the Collin County Bar Association, Member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council, Member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors at Marketplace Ministries, Member of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Member of the McKinney Rotary, and a charter member of Stonebriar Community Church.[4]

Elections

2002

On March 12, 2002, Ken Paxton ran for his first nomination in the Republican primary for the Texas House in District 70 against five opponents. He captured 39.45% of the vote and moved into a runoff with Bill Vitz, who he then defeated with 64% of the vote. He then went on to face Fred Lusk (D) and Robert Worthington (L) for the newly redistricted open seat. On November 4, 2002, Paxton secured his first win with 28,012 votes to Lusk's 7,074 votes and Worthington's 600 votes.[5]

2004

November 4, 2004, Paxton faced a challenge from the Democrat Martin Woodward after running unopposed for the Republican nomination. Paxton captured 76% of the vote, or 58,520 votes compared to 18,451 votes for Woodward.[6]

2006

On November 4, 2006, Paxton won his 3rd term to the Texas House of Representatives, defeating Rick Koster (D) and Robert Virasin (L). Paxton received 30,062 votes to Koster's 12,265 votes and Virasin's 1,222 votes.[7]

2008

On November 4, 2008, Paxton won re-election to the Texas House of Representatives, again defeating Robert Virasin (L). Paxton received 73,450 votes in the election while Virasin received 11,751 votes.[8]

2010

Paxton ran unopposed for re-election in both the Republican primary and the general election.

Political experience

Since joining the House in 2003, Representative Paxton has been endorsed and supported by multiple non partisan and conservative organizations. On the National level, Paxton was one of six Texas House candidates endorsed by HuckPAC the official Political Action Committee of former Republican Governor Mike Huckabee.[9]

Paxton has also received endorsements and "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association[10] and the state affiliated chapter Texas State Rifle Association.[11]

Committee assignments

  • Land & Resource Management Committee, Texas House
  • Ways & Means Committee, Texas House
  • Fiscal Stability, Texas House[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Texas House of Representatives : Representative Paxton, Ken". House.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  2. ↑ "Rep. Ken Paxton announces bid for Texas House Speaker". The Ellis County Press. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  3. ↑ "Ken Paxton". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  4. ↑ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Ken Paxton, Jr. - Biography". Votesmart.org. 1962-12-23. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  5. ↑ "Texas House official election results for 2002 and Republican Primary Election 2002". Elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  6. ↑ "Texas House official election results for 2004". Elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  7. ↑ "Texas House official election results for 2006". Elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  8. ↑ "Texas House official election results for 2008". Elections.sos.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  9. ↑ "Huck Pac - Candidates". huckpac.com. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  10. ↑ "National Rifle Association - Political Victory Fund, Texas". nrapvf.com. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  11. ↑ "TSRA PAC - Voters Guide". tcrapac.com. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 
  12. ↑ "Texas House of Representatives : Representative Paxton, Ken". House.state.tx.us. Retrieved 2010-11-20. 

External links

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