Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign faces ethics scrutiny after featuring uniformed police officers in a recent campaign advertisement, potentially violating state laws against using public resources for political gain.
Key Insights
- Paxton’s campaign ad featuring uniformed Collin County police officers may violate Texas ethics laws prohibiting the use of public resources in political advertising.
- Texas law specifically bars the use of government-issued uniforms in campaign materials unless personally purchased by the officers.
- Similar ethics violations have occurred in past campaigns, including one by Senator John Cornyn in 2020, the very seat Paxton seeks to claim.
- The Texas Ethics Commission can impose civil penalties for such violations, though Paxton’s office has historically been lax in enforcing these breaches.
- Neither Paxton’s campaign nor the Collin County Constable precincts have responded to requests for comment on the potential violation.
Campaign Ad Raises Legal Questions
The Senate campaign of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has come under scrutiny following the release of a campaign advertisement on April 9, 2025, which allegedly features uniformed police officers from Collin County. This use of official uniforms in political advertising potentially violates Texas ethics laws, which strictly prohibit the use of public resources for campaign purposes. At issue is whether the uniforms worn by officers in the advertisement were county-provided or personally purchased, a distinction that determines the legality of their appearance in campaign materials.
The Texas Ethics Commission has clear guidelines regarding such matters, emphasizing that public officials and employees cannot use government resources for political advertising. This includes the use of uniforms purchased with taxpayer funds. Neither Paxton’s campaign nor representatives from Collin County Constable precincts have responded to inquiries about the ownership status of the uniforms in question, leaving the potential ethics violation unaddressed as Paxton’s campaign against incumbent Senator John Cornyn gains momentum.
History of Similar Violations
This isn’t the first time Texas politicians have faced questions about the use of uniformed law enforcement in campaign materials. Senator John Cornyn encountered similar issues during his 2020 campaign when he featured uniformed officers in his advertisements. The practice extends beyond Texas borders, with Representative Chris Pappas of New Hampshire recently facing comparable scrutiny for using uniformed police in his campaign materials. The recurring nature of these violations suggests either a lack of awareness or concern for ethics laws among political candidates.
“From what I understand, the police is not supposed to be using those uniforms in any sort of public display beyond their own professional services.” – Craig Holman
Ethics expert Craig Holman has noted that such violations are not uncommon in political campaigns across party lines. In fact, former Representative Colin Allred, a Democrat from Texas, used uniformed law enforcement officials in advertisements for his Senate campaign against Senator Ted Cruz. While the Texas Ethics Commission can impose civil fines for these violations, enforcement has been inconsistent, particularly under Paxton’s tenure as Attorney General, raising questions about accountability in campaign ethics.
Contentious Republican Primary Battle
The ethics concerns emerge as part of a larger narrative surrounding what promises to be a highly competitive Republican primary race. Cornyn, a three-term senator with support from the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, faces a significant challenge from Paxton, who has secured endorsements from Representatives Lance Gooden and Troy Nehls. The race highlights growing divisions within the Republican Party, with Paxton positioning himself as the more conservative, Trump-aligned candidate against Cornyn’s more traditional Republican stance.
“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a primary challenge against longtime Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday night, setting the stage for a battle between two politicians representing different parts of the Republican Party.” – NBC News
Paxton enters this race with his own controversial background, including surviving impeachment proceedings in the state legislature and facing ongoing legal challenges. He recently settled a securities fraud case by paying restitution and completing community service. Additionally, a Texas judge awarded $6.6 million to four whistleblowers from Paxton’s office who had filed a lawsuit against him for retaliation. Despite these controversies, Paxton remains a formidable political figure in Texas, demonstrating the evolving standards for candidate viability in modern Republican politics.
Sources:
- Ken Paxton may have run afoul of Texas ethics laws with Senate campaign launch
- Texas’ Ken Paxton hopes to parlay multiple scandals into a GOP Senate campaign
