Group names Ken Paxton among its ‘Most Corrupt Politicians’ of 2026 [Austin American-Statesman]
AUSTIN, TX — End Citizens United, the nation’s leading anti-corruption organization, just named Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to its 2026 Most Corrupt Politicians List. ECU’s 2026 Most Corrupt Politicians List highlights elected officials whose corrupt actions consistently align with personal interests over those of their constituents.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that Paxton was being added to the list following a litany of scandals, including “Paxton’s impeachment by the Texas House on bribery and abuse of office charges, his previous securities fraud indictments,” his Epstein-style sweetheart deal that let a child sex predator go free, getting rich in public office with 15 properties, and taking data center industry donations while stalling AG decisions to slow their development.
End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller said, “Ken Paxton has spent his career as Attorney General serving one person: himself. He has used the power of his office to protect his own interests, reward the wealthy donors who help keep him in power, and leave Texas families paying the price. That’s not public service. That’s textbook corruption. Now he wants a promotion to the U.S. Senate to bring the same pay-to-play politics he practiced in Texas to Washington. We’re going to make sure voters understand his career-long betrayal and hold him accountable at the ballot box this year.”
Read more below:
Austin American-Statesman: Group names Ken Paxton among its ‘Most Corrupt Politicians’ of 2026
August 18, 2026
By Faith Bugenhagen
End Citizens United, a left-leaning national group focused on campaign finance and government ethics, has named Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton among its 2026 “Most Corrupt Politicians.”
The organization said it plans a media and voter engagement campaign targeting the Texas attorney general in the coming months. The group, which includes a political funding arm, endorsed Paxton’s Democratic opponent, state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, in July.
The group cited Paxton’s impeachment by the Texas House on bribery and abuse of office charges, his previous securities fraud indictments, lawsuits involving former employees and scrutiny of his personal wealth. Paxton was acquitted by the Texas Senate in his 2023 impeachment trial.
Paxton’s wealth has also drawn attention during the Senate campaign. Reports have detailed 15 properties he owns across multiple states and a six-figure income from a cellphone tower on property belonging to a hospital where he served as a board member.
The group criticized Paxton’s office over its handling of the Adam Hoffman case. Hoffman, a former Waco attorney accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a boy, received a plea deal that resulted in one day served in jail.
“Ken Paxton has spent his career as Attorney General serving one person: himself,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “He has used the power of his office to protect his own interests, reward the wealthy donors who help keep him in power, and leave Texas families paying the price. That’s not public service. That’s textbook corruption.”
End Citizens United also scrutinized Paxton’s campaign donors, citing $448,000 from groups and individuals tied to the data center industry while a request for his office to block a data center development moratorium in Hood County remains unresolved, according to NOTUS.
Paxton has not taken a clear position on data center development. In a May interview, he called the issue complicated and framed U.S. data center growth as part of a competition with China that the country “can’t lose.”
Talarico has taken a more critical approach, proposing restrictions on the growing data center industry.
The group said Talarico offered a contrast by rejecting corporate PAC contributions and supporting anti-corruption measures.
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