Fulce Consulting Founder Pen's Op-Ed for Houston Chronicle

The GOP war over Paxton: Bigwigs vs. conservatives like me (Opinion)

September 5, 2023

by Garrett W. Fulce in the Houston Chronicle

The Republican Party’s bosses, in a craven betrayal of conservatives like me, have shockingly chosen to assail GOP members of the Texas House who boldly cast their votes for the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Those in control of the Republican Party of Texas and local Republican Party machinery across the state are trying to brush aside the charges against Paxton as a baseless witch hunt. But a cursory examination of the House Committee on General Investigating report and the staggering 3,700 pages of exhibits in the impeachment trial lay bare Paxton’s repulsive pattern of behavior. The heap of evidence also shows a reckless disregard of his vows as a husband and his oath as attorney general — commitments that rely on the principles of faith, family, freedom and the Constitution.

These party bigwigs’ new mantra seems to be “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”

Are we supposed to turn a blind eye to the damning evidence that highlights Paxton's egregious breaches of public trust?

Are we to plug our ears during the upcoming Senate trial, where witnesses and evidence will be unveiled for the entire state?

And should we remain silent when it comes to the bigwigs’ betrayal of elected Republicans who insisted that a fellow Republican office holder remain honest, accountable and untainted by felonious behavior?

I won't allow myself to be blinded, deafened or silenced by this insincere test of loyalty. By drawing a line in the sand that demands we ignore the substantial evidence against Paxton, party leadership has lobbed the opening volley in a Republican civil war.

What makes this all the more shocking, due to its sheer absurdity, is the blatant nature of Paxton’s corruption, evident even with a casual perusal of the House investigation and impeachment exhibits. The linchpin of this unsavory narrative is a real estate mogul and campaign donor named Nate Paul.

Evidence from the investigations shows how Paul sought to influence Paxton's actions by employing Paxton's alleged mistress and by funding an Uber account for clandestine rendezvous with her. Paul also purportedly footed the bill for renovations at Paxton’s Austin home, totaling over $100,000. In return, they say, Paxton behaved as though the Office of the Texas Attorney General were Paul's personal law firm.

Compounding these concerns, Paxton is accused of manipulating his authority to shield Paul's interests by having the attorney general’s office hire an outside lawyer that House investigators say Paul recommended. This attorney then used the state's power to serve subpoenas against individuals seen as Paul’s foes, all without proper authorization or justification. Paxton’s unsettling abuse of power underscores a willingness to cast aside ethical considerations for personal gain.

This incongruity between Paxton's professed ideals and his actual conduct is glaring in his decision to silence the whistleblowers who courageously exposed their boss’s actions at the agency. Strikingly, the same attorneys Paxton counted on to claim the conservative victories he now touts are the very ones who, driven by genuine conservative convictions, brought allegations of bribery against him.

The impending impeachment trial isn't just a legislative exercise. For conservatives, it represents a critical opportunity to reaffirm our collective dedication to our core values. It's an occasion to demonstrate that no individual — Republican or not — stands above those principles.

Instead of condemning Paxton’s alleged misbehavior, these GOP leaders have ripped at the fabric of the Republicans' big tent by targeting the 60 Republican House members who, upholding actual conservative principles, voted in favor of Paxton’s impeachment.

Texas deserves leaders who genuinely uphold and champion Texas values. The impending trial represents a pivotal moment to root out those who prioritize personal agendas over the wellbeing of the state. For all Texas Republicans who treasure integrity, now is the time to stand united and demand accountability. The enduring legacy of Texas conservatism demands nothing less.

Garrett W. Fulce co-hosts "Seeing Red," a Texas politics podcast, and owns Fulce Consulting LLC, a Houston-based public relations and campaign consulting firm. He has a track record of helping conservative Republicans secure victories at the local, state and national levels.