In a historic vote, the Texas House of Representatives has impeached Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. The vote, which was 76 to 53, came after a lengthy inquiry into allegations of bribery, abuse of office, and other misconduct.

Paxton has been under investigation for several years related to his dealings with a real estate developer and a donor. He has denied the allegations, but the Texas House Ethics Committee found probable cause to believe that he had committed impeachable offenses.

“This is a sad day for Texas,” said House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) after the vote. “We have taken this step only after careful consideration and a thorough investigation.”

“I am innocent of these charges, and I will fight to clear my name,” Paxton said in a statement following the vote.

“The impeachment of the attorney general is a very rare occurrence,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University. “It’s a sign of the seriousness of the allegations against Paxton and the lack of confidence in his ability to continue to serve as the state’s top law enforcement officer.”

The impeachment process has been divisive within the Republican Party, with some members supporting the move while others have criticized it as politically motivated. The public reaction has also been mixed, with some supporting the impeachment and others expressing concerns about its potential impact on the state’s legal system.

The Texas Senate will now hold a trial to determine whether to remove Paxton from office. If he is convicted by the Senate, he will be the first Texas attorney general to be removed from office through impeachment.

The Texas Senate has yet to schedule a trial date. Paxton has vowed to fight the charges and has promised to remain in office throughout the proceedings. The outcome of the trial is uncertain and could have significant implications for the future of Texas politics.