Former Smitherman Supporter Backs Fellow North Texan
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (McKinney, Texas) – The Ken Paxton for Attorney General Campaign today announced the endorsement of Texas State Senator Craig Estes, who represents the fourteen counties of Senate District 30 in North Central Texas.
Senator Estes said, “The principles on which Ken has built his candidacy are not just campaign rhetoric but are deeply held views anchored in his faith, his conservative convictions, and his fundamental belief in limited government. My constituents can have confidence that Ken Paxton will be an effective Attorney General who will relentlessly fight the liberal agenda of President Obama. I’m pleased to endorse Ken Paxton for Attorney General.”
Senator Paxton said, “I enjoyed working with Senator Estes during my first term in the Texas Senate as together we fought the expansion of Obamacare, passed historic legislation to defend the unborn, and worked to preserve the Second Amendment in Texas. As Attorney General, I look forward to working with Craig in the ongoing fight to defend our freedoms.”
Today’s announcement follows a series of key endorsements earned by Paxton since his stunning first-place finish in the March 4th Republican Primary, including winning 12 of the 14 counties in SD 30.
– Paxton was endorsed by 76 current and former members of the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC). That list includes 30 current SREC members, nine of whom had endorsed former Attorney General candidate Barry Smitherman. Additionally, Senator Paxton has earned endorsements from 9 of the 10 SREC members who represent Dallas County, the home county of his opponent.
– The campaign announced the endorsement of Dr. Robin Armstrong of Houston, current Republican National Committeeman for Texas, and Bill Crocker of Austin, former Republican National Committeeman for Texas. Paxton has now been endorsed by five Texans who have served as Republican National Committee members from Texas. The McKinney Republican has previously been endorsed by Ernest Angelo, Jr. of Midland, Tim Lambert of Lubbock, and Cathie Adams of Dallas.
– Senator Paxton has won the backing of Former Texas Republican Party Chairman and Houston businessman George W. Strake, Jr.; Dr. Steve Hotze, President of Conservative Republicans of Texas; Former Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt; Senator Donna Campbell; State Rep. Rob Orr; and the Houston Police Officers’ Union Political Action Committee.
On March 4th, Senator Paxton shocked political observers with his first-place showing. During early voting, the Dan Branch campaign released a poll showing Representative Branch with an almost 2-1 lead over Senator Paxton. Despite being outspent more than 2-1, Senator Paxton led the field with 44%, coming within just 6 points of winning outright. Additionally, Paxton won Dan Branch’s home county of Dallas and his other “home” county of Bexar, where Rep. Branch grew up and still has family. Senator Paxton won 19 of the top 20 counties in Texas, and won 51 of the top 75 counties representing approximately 85% of the GOP vote.
