Ken Paxton wins Texas attorney general GOP runoff, ending Bush dynasty

Incumbent Ken Paxton emerged victorious Tuesday in the Texas GOP primary runoff election for state attorney general. He defeats Texas land commissioner George P. Bush, son of Jeb and nephew of 43rd president George W. Bush.

Paxton's landslide victory means that come January 2023, for the first time in more than 40 years, a Bush will not be serving in U.S. public office.

In the March 1 primary, Paxton finished 20 points ahead of Bush but failed to reach the 50% threshold that would have kept him out of runoff territory.

Paxton was the pick of former President Donald Trump and has been a faithful supporter of the de facto head of the Republican party throughout his time in office and beyond. During the Biden presidency, Paxton has acted as an aggressor in court, consistently challenging the administration on a number of issues including border security and election integrity. 

In 2015, Paxton was indicted on two counts of securities fraud and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators. He is currently facing an FBI investigation into bribery and corruption allegations leveled by former staffers. Paxton has consistently maintained his innocence and says the charges are politically motivated. His legal baggage was evidently not a voter deterrent Tuesday night – he finished the race more than 30 points ahead of Bush.

Paxton will compete in November for his third term, facing off against Democrat Rochelle Garza, who won her respective runoff. 

News of Paxton's victory arrives just hours after tragedy struck in Uvalde, Texas where an 18-year-old gunman opened fire in an elementary school killing at least 19 children and two adults.