A poll of Texas Republican voters shows a majority of them believe Attorney General Ken Paxton should resign after being indicted for three felonies involving securities-violations.
The poll was put together for the Texas Bipartisan Justice Committee, an East Texas nonprofit that finds judicial talent for various statewide races. It shows 62 percent of those polled think Paxton should step down while he fights the charges he’s accused of committing.
Professor Mark Jones is the Chair for Rice University’s Baker School of Public Policy and believes the poll is just one more strike against the Attorney General.
“Over time we’re getting revelation after revelation of some ethical issues, some criminal issues from his time prior to arriving at the Attorney General’s office and people are starting to wonder how much is really there and how reflective of this is of his general character and his ability to serve as the Attorney General for the State of Texas," Jones says.
While Jones questioned the overall numbers of the poll because of the method used to conduct the survey, he did say it shows an erosion of support for Paxton by his base. The study shows how 52 percent of those who believe Paxton should resign identified themselves as Tea Party Republicans.
Speaking through his attorney, Paxton says he intends to plead 'not guilty' in court and will ask for a jury trial.
