On the eve of the verdict in Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, prosecutors celebrated at Texas Chili Parlor in Austin, confident of victory. Paxton, Texas attorney general and Republican, was accused of abusing his office to protect a campaign donor who allegedly remodeled his home and concealed an affair. A bipartisan majority in the Texas House impeached him, making state senators jurors in a nine-day September 2023 trial.

Lead prosecutors Dick De Guerin and Rusty Hardin felt assured, but the next day, amid a thunderstorm, the Senate acquitted Paxton on all 16 articles. No two-thirds majority was reached on any charge. Paxton, now running for U.S. Senate, calls the trial a politically motivated witch hunt.

His rival James Talarico cites it as proof of corruption, while Paxton’s allies, including adviser Nick Maddux, insist he was vindicated. The defense succeeded without key witnesses testifying, and trial rules favored the accused. Lt.

Gov. Dan Patrick presided despite recent PAC funding ties to anti-impeachment PACs. Paxton never testified under oath.

The New York Times review found no smoking gun and noted the trial’s outcome highlighted Paxton’s resilience amid ongoing scandal.