Endorsed by Blue Chip Texas Conservative Leader and 23 House Members
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (PLANO, Texas) – Today, State Senator Ken Paxton (R- McKinney) launched his campaign for Texas Attorney General and announced his first round of endorsements from a blue chip list of Texas conservative leaders as well as 23 members of the Texas House of Representatives. These endorsements demonstrate the deep level of conservative backing Paxton enjoys across Texas, support that will be critical in winning the March, 2014 Republican nomination.
Today, Senator Paxton announced the endorsement of:
- Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of Liberty Institute*; Statewide Leadership Team Chairman, Ted Cruz for Senate
- Tim Lambert, President, Texas Home School Coalition*; Former Republican National Committeeman for Texas
- Cathie Adams, President, Texas Eagle Forum*; Former Chairman, Republican Party of Texas
- Peggy Venable, Texas Director, Americans for Prosperity*
- Ann Hettinger, Former State Director of Concerned Women for America of Texas*
- Jonathan Saenz, President, Texas Values*
- Rick Green, Former Texas State Representative and Host of WallBuilders* Live
- Carol Everett, Texas Pro-Life Leader; Founder and CEO of The Heidi Group*
- Michelle Smith, State Director of Concerned Women for America of Texas*
- Michael Quinn Sullivan
*organization listed for identification purposes only
Additionally, Senator Paxton earned support from the following legislators across Texas:
- Rep. Giovanni Capriglione
- Rep. Tony Dale
- Rep. Pat Fallon
- Rep. Dan Flynn
- Rep. James Frank
- Rep. Craig Goldman
- Rep. Bryan Hughes
- Rep. Phil King
- Rep. Stephanie Klick
- Rep. Matt Krause
- Rep. Jodie Laubenberg
- Rep. Jeff Leach
- Rep. Rick Miller
- Rep. Charles Perry
- Rep. Scott Sanford
- Rep. Matt Schaefer
- Rep. Ron Simmons
- Rep. Jonathan Stickland
- Rep. Van Taylor
- Rep. Steve Toth
- Rep. Ed Thompson
- Rep. Scott Turner
- Rep. Bill Zedler
Several of these leaders spoke to their support of Senator Paxton.
Nationally recognized attorney Kelly Shackelford, who was named to the Texas Lawyer list of “Top 25 Greatest Texas Attorneys for Past 25 Years,” said in his endorsement, “I’ve known Ken Paxton for more than 25 years as a friend, classmate, and fellow attorney. With his impeccable credentials and sharp legal mind, Ken is the ideal person to serve as Attorney General. We know from experience that he will never turn his back on our conservative principles. We know where Ken stands because he has proven himself as reliable and trustworthy for more than a decade. He is proven. I look forward to working with him as our next Attorney General.”
Cathie Adams said, “Ken Paxton is a courageous, principled leader, and he is imminently qualified to be our next Texas Attorney General. His voting record in the Texas House and Senate has been 100% conservative, demonstrating that he is the clear choice for Texas conservatives. Ken Paxton and his family are greatly admired and respected by those who know him well. I am excited to not only endorse him, but I will be working very hard to ensure he is our next Attorney General.”
Peggy Venable said, “Senator Ken Paxton has long been a champion of open, transparent government. He is a principled fiscal conservative who has served with integrity in the Texas Senate and prior to that in the State House. He is not beholden to special interests and would continue to fight for states’ rights and challenge federal overreach. I am proud to personally endorse Senator Ken Paxton in his bid for Texas Attorney General, as I am confident he would continue the good work of General Abbott.”
Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz stated, “Ken Paxton is a Texan who stands up for the values that make Texas great: faith, family and freedom. His ability to lead on principle and protect the interests of Texans makes him the best choice for our next Attorney General. I am honored to endorse Ken Paxton.”
Ann Hettinger commented, “During his tenure as a Representative in the Texas House and in his term as Senator in the Texas Senate, Ken Paxton has demonstrated an unblemished conservative voting record. His personal integrity and faithfulness to conservative principles makes him trustworthy to hold the office of Attorney General of Texas. I’m proud to endorse his candidacy.”
Tim Lambert, Former Republican National Committeeman for Texas, said, “I support Senator Paxton for Attorney General because he is one of those rare legislators who is truly conservative and willing to fight for legislation that advances limited government, life, and individual freedom. As an advocate for home schooling and parental rights, I particularly appreciate that he has demonstrated on many occasions his strong support for the fundamental right of parents to direct the care, control, and upbringing of their children.”
In her endorsement of Senator Paxton, Carol Everett stated, “Ken has always been pro-life, not just in words but in deeds. He and his lovely wife Angela have lived their pro-life convictions. Through their longtime support of numerous crisis pregnancy centers, they have demonstrated their compassion to both the unborn child as well as the mother. Our next Attorney General must be resolute in their commitment to defending life, and in Ken Paxton, we have just such a man. That is why I am so excited to endorse his candidacy.”
Michelle Smith endorsed Senator Paxton, stating, “When I think of the type of person we need as Attorney General for the greatest state in the union, I firmly believe we need someone who is unashamed to stand strong for the cause of conservatism and liberty in Texas. I have known Senator Paxton for years, and that is the record of the man I know. He will always stand for freedom and against President Obama’s assault on Texas. I proudly endorse Ken Paxton for Attorney General of Texas.”
