Most North Texas Republicans approve of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton and believe the Senate should dismiss the charges against him, according to a new poll.
A survey of likely Republican primary voters in Texas Senate District 30 by Defend Texas Liberty PAC found that Paxton maintains a 59% favorability rating among respondents. Only 25% of respondents gave Paxton an unfavorable rating. When asked about Paxton’s upcoming impeachment trial, 52% of respondents said the Texas Senate should dismiss the charges, while 22% said it should proceed with the trial.
Respondents were also asked, “If Paxton is convicted and removed from office, … [and] the 2026 Republican primary for US Senator were held today, and your candidates were John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, for whom would you vote?”
Only 33% of respondents said they would support Cornyn, and 47% said they would support Paxton.
The poll was conducted August 21-23 via online surveys and text messages. Of the 429 respondents, 91% were Republicans, 9% were independents, 51% were female, and 88% were white. The poll’s margin of error is 4.7%.
Texas Senate District 30 covers all of Archer, Clay, Cooke, Erath, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Wichita, Wise, and Young Counties, and portions of Collin and Denton Counties. The district’s elected state official is Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster).
Paxton’s impeachment trial may focus on allegations that he helped one of his donors, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, ward off a federal investigation. Staffers blew the whistle on Paxton after they were allegedly told to work on ways to help Paul.
The Texas House impeached Paxton in May, and the Senate will take up the case on September 5.
Paxton has denounced the charges against him, suggesting that the impeachment trial amounts to a politically motivated attack by the House, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Some 73% of poll respondents said they believe that “establishment” Republicans want Paxton out of office. If Sen. Springer voted in the trial to acquit Paxton, 56% said they would be more likely to support Springer.