Hometown police withdraw endorsement for Ken Paxton in AG race
The McKinney Police Department Association has rescinded its backing of hometown state senator and GOP attorney general contender Ken Paxton.
It’s the second time that one of Paxton’s local police associations has taken back its support. The Allen police association withdrew its endorsement last week.
Paxton is facing Dan Branch in the May 27 run-off for the attorney general’s post being vacated by Greg Abbott as he runs for governor.
Paxton’s troubles stem from a recent reprimand and $1,000 fine levied against him by the Texas State Securities Board for his failure to register as an investment adviser. Paxton acknowledged steering clients to an investment firm, which paid him, but said he was unaware that he was required under Texas law to register. He also failed to report the income as required on his Texas Ethics Commission financial disclosure forms.
In rescinding the endorsement, the officers of the McKinney Police Department cited that his failure to register is a crime.
“This is a criminal offense which could possibly be tried by the presiding district attorney or even possibly the Office of the US Attorney General,” McKinney Police Association stated in a release signed by president Jose Quiles and the political action committee chairman Farrel Ritchie.
“Given that the attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer in the state of Texas, the McKinney Police Association feels it is necessary to protect the integrity of the AG office and can no longer support Ken Paxton for attorney general,” they said in a statement.
More at http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/hometown-police-withdraw-endorsement-of-ken-paxton.html/
[font color=green]Ouch![/font]
= new reply since forum marked as read
From the American Statesman:
The McKinney Police Association has withdrawn its endorsement of state Sen. Ken Paxton in the GOP runoff for attorney general, citing Paxton’s recent reprimand for violating a Texas securities law.
“Given that the attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer in the state of Texas, the McKinney Police Association feels it is necessary to protect the integrity of the AG office and can no longer support Ken Paxton,” said a letter from association President Jose Quiles and Chairman Farrel Ritchie.
Ouch! This is from his hometown police association and comes after the local Allen Police Association dropped their endorsement. Other law enforcement agencies have been content to stand on their endorsement such as Houston Police Officers’ Union Political Action Committee (HPOU, pronouced as "H-POO"
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"Every now and then we need the top law enforcement of the State to turn a blind eye when law enforcement brings out the billy clubs. Ken Paxton has demonstrated his ability to do just that. To Paxton, breaking the law is just part of the job."
Said no one ever. Paxton should continue to rack up endorsements from other organizations such as the Banditos, the Texas Chapter of Hell on Wheels, and The Crips once he comes out of hiding.
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