Ken Paxton
Encyclopedia
Ken Paxton, Jr. is a conservative Republican
member of the Texas House of Representatives
for District 70. The district includes the central western portion of Collin County
, and includes parts of McKinney, Allen, Frisco, and other surrounding communities.
On November 11, 2010, Ken Paxton announced he would run for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
against current Speaker Joe Straus
of District 121 in Bexar County
and fellow Republican Warren Chisum
of District 88 in Pampa, Texas
. Paxton expressed his feelings that,
in Waco, Texas
in 1981 studying Psychology. In 1985 he was elected Student Body President of Baylor University's Student Government Association. He graduated the same year and continued his education at Baylor, attending the Hankamer School of Business earning his MBA in 1986. Ken Paxton then worked for two years as a Management Consultant before returning to school in 1998. Ken enrolled at University of Virginia
School of Law and earned his J.D. in 1991.
After law school Paxton joined the firm of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P from 1991 to 1995. He then went to work for J.C. Penney Company, Inc., as in-house legal counsel. In 2002 he left J.C. Penney to start his own firm specializing in estate planning, probate, real estate and general business matters and to run for office in Texas House District 70.
Since moving to the McKinney
area, Ken Paxton has served on numerous local organizations and councils. These include being a Member of the Allen Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for Centennial Medical Center, Member/Former Board of Directors at the Collin County Bar Association, Member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council, Member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors at Marketplace Ministries, Member of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Member of the McKinney Rotary, and a Charter Member of Stonebriar Community Church.
district 70 against five other republicans. He captured 39.45% of the vote, and moved in to a runoff with fellow republican Bill Vitz, who he defeated with 64% of the vote. He then went on to face Fred Lusk (D) and Robert Worthington (L) for the newly redistricted open seat. On November 4, 2002, Paxton secured his first win with 28,012 votes to Lusk's 7,074 votes and Worthington's 600 votes.
, defeating Rick Koster (D) and Robert Virasin (L). Paxton received 30,062 votes to Koster's 12,265 votes and Virasin's 1,222 votes.
, again defeating Robert Virasin (L). Paxton received 73,450 votes in the election while Virasin received 11,751 votes.
.
Paxton has also received endorsements and "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association
and the state affiliated chapter Texas State Rifle Association.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
for District 70. The district includes the central western portion of Collin County
Collin County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 491,675 people, 181,970 households, and 132,292 families residing in the county. The population density was 580 people per square mile . There were 194,892 housing units at an average density of 230 per square mile...
, and includes parts of McKinney, Allen, Frisco, and other surrounding communities.
On November 11, 2010, Ken Paxton announced he would run for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
against current Speaker Joe Straus
Joe Straus
Joseph R. Straus, III, known as Joe Straus , is the current Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He represents District 121, which comprises northeastern Bexar County, including part of San Antonio, Texas, and several surrounding communities...
of District 121 in Bexar County
Bexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
and fellow Republican Warren Chisum
Warren Chisum
Warren Darrel Chisum is a conservative Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from the Panhandle city of Pampa, a community of some 20,000 people and the seat of Gray County. He has served in the state House since 1989...
of District 88 in Pampa, Texas
Pampa, Texas
Pampa is a city in Gray County, Texas, United States. The population was 17,887 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gray County.Pampa is the principal city of the Pampa Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Gray and Roberts counties....
. Paxton expressed his feelings that,
"On Election Day, we witnessed a monumental shift in the political climate, and I believe that historic opportunities demand bold action in defense of our conservative values. Voters across Texas sent a clear message that they favor leadership dedicated to protecting our freedoms and fighting government growth. Texans have provided us with an historic mandate, and they expect us to use this mandate to honestly advance conservative principles and not simply protect the status quo. These goals can only be accomplished with a conservative Speaker."
Early career
Ken Paxton attend Baylor UniversityBaylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
in 1981 studying Psychology. In 1985 he was elected Student Body President of Baylor University's Student Government Association. He graduated the same year and continued his education at Baylor, attending the Hankamer School of Business earning his MBA in 1986. Ken Paxton then worked for two years as a Management Consultant before returning to school in 1998. Ken enrolled at University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
School of Law and earned his J.D. in 1991.
After law school Paxton joined the firm of Strasburger & Price, L.L.P from 1991 to 1995. He then went to work for J.C. Penney Company, Inc., as in-house legal counsel. In 2002 he left J.C. Penney to start his own firm specializing in estate planning, probate, real estate and general business matters and to run for office in Texas House District 70.
Since moving to the McKinney
McKinney, Texas
McKinney is a city in and the county seat of Collin County, Texas, United States, and the second in population to Plano. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 131,117 The Census Bureau listed McKinney as the nation's fastest growing city from 2000 to 2003 and again in...
area, Ken Paxton has served on numerous local organizations and councils. These include being a Member of the Allen Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for Centennial Medical Center, Member/Former Board of Directors at the Collin County Bar Association, Member of the Dallas Estate Planning Council, Member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors at Marketplace Ministries, Member of the McKinney Chamber of Commerce, Member of the McKinney Rotary, and a Charter Member of Stonebriar Community Church.
2002
On March 12, 2002, Ken Paxton ran for his first nomination in the Republican Party Primary for Texas House of RepresentativesTexas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
district 70 against five other republicans. He captured 39.45% of the vote, and moved in to a runoff with fellow republican Bill Vitz, who he defeated with 64% of the vote. He then went on to face Fred Lusk (D) and Robert Worthington (L) for the newly redistricted open seat. On November 4, 2002, Paxton secured his first win with 28,012 votes to Lusk's 7,074 votes and Worthington's 600 votes.
2004
November 4, 2004, Paxton faced a challenge from Martin Woodward (D) after running unopposed for the Republican nomination. Paxton captured 76% of the vote, or 58,520 votes compared to 18,451 votes for Woodward.2006
On November 4, 2006, Paxton won his 3rd term to the Texas House of RepresentativesTexas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
, defeating Rick Koster (D) and Robert Virasin (L). Paxton received 30,062 votes to Koster's 12,265 votes and Virasin's 1,222 votes.
2008
On November 4, 2008, Paxton won re-election to the Texas House of RepresentativesTexas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
, again defeating Robert Virasin (L). Paxton received 73,450 votes in the election while Virasin received 11,751 votes.
2010
Paxton ran unopposed for re-election in both the Republican primary and the general election.Political experience
Since joining the House in 2003, Representative Paxton has been endorsed and supported by multiple non partisan and conservative organizations. On the National level, Paxton was one of six Texas House candidates endorsed by HuckPAC the official Political Action Committee of former Republican Governor Mike HuckabeeMike Huckabee
Michael "Mike" Dale Huckabee is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007. He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries, finishing second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won . He won...
.
Paxton has also received endorsements and "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
and the state affiliated chapter Texas State Rifle Association.
Committee assignments
- Land & Resource Management Committee, Texas House
- Ways & Means Committee, Texas House
- Fiscal Stability, Texas House