Impeachment lawyers plan to call Texas AG Ken Paxton to witness stand in Senate trial

Published 12:56 pm Thursday, August 24, 2023

AUSTIN — House managers plan to call Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to the witness stand during his upcoming impeachment trial, according to copies of the witness lists obtained by The Dallas Morning News.

Paxton tops the list of potential witnesses to be called by the managers, a group of House lawmakers and outside lawyers who will put on the case against Paxton, according to the document. The attorney general’s lawyers have said Paxton will not testify. The managers have argued Paxton must take the stand if subpoenaed, but can refuse to answer questions by exercising his constitutional right against self incrimination.

Nate Paul, the Austin real estate developer at the center of the impeachment allegations, and Laura Olson, a woman with whom Paxton is alleged to have had an affair are also on the managers’ list. Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore is also on the list.

On the attorney general’s list of potential witnesses are two senators who will also sit as jurors during his impeachment trial: his wife Angela Paxton and Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican who is referenced in the articles of impeachment.

His lawyers also may call his two Republican primary challengers, George P. Bush and Eva Guzman, as well as Republican strategist and Paxton critic Karl Rove, according to their witness list. Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a well-funded political action committee that endorsed Guzman, and its founder Dick Weekley are also on Paxton’s list.

A group of whistleblowers whose corruption allegations against Paxton prompted the impeachment proceedings appear on both lists.

According to trial rules drawn up by the senators, the witness lists are confidential. The News obtained copies from a source with firsthand knowledge of the lists.