Latest news with #JoeJaworski
CBS News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Two Democrats enter Texas attorney general race as Paxton sets sights on U.S. Senate
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's decision to run for the U.S. Senate has opened a rare vacancy in statewide office, triggering a crowded race to replace him — with at least five candidates, including two Democrats and three Republicans, already launching campaigns for attorney general. Last Tuesday, Dallas County Sen. Nathan Johnson kicked off his campaign. He was first elected to the state Senate in 2018. And on Thursday, former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski said he wants the nomination. Jaworski ran for the same office in 2022, losing the democratic nomination in a runoff. Three Republicans want to be the next attorney general, including state senators Joan Huffman of Houston and Hayes Middleton of Galveston. Aaron Reitz, a former Justice Department attorney, is also in the race for the nomination. They all want to replace Paxton, who is leaving the office to run for U.S. Senate. He is in a primary challenge against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. The attorney general's race is a rare open seat in the state, as Paxton was elected the 51st attorney general of Texas in 2014. In May, a poll by Super PAC Senate Leadership Fund showed Cornyn trailing Paxton by 16 percentage points, 56% to 40%. The poll, conducted between April 27 and May 1, showed that in a general election, Cornyn would beat former Democratic Congressman Colin Allred of Dallas by six percentage points, while Houston-area Congressman Wesley Hunt has a one percentage point lead, and Paxton is behind Allred by one percentage point. Cornyn spoke with reporters in May about a previous internal poll showing him trailing Paxton. He said he worries that if Paxton becomes the Republican nominee, he would lose to a Democrat. "The last thing we need to do is provide an opportunity for Democrats to get a beachhead in Texas," said Cornyn. "Which, depending on how the primary turns out, could happen. That would be the end of Texas being red."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrat Joe Jaworski to run for Texas attorney general again
Joe Jaworski, an attorney and former Galveston mayor, is running for Texas attorney general again, three years after making an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination to become the state's top civil lawyer. Jaworski will face another competitive primary this cycle, with state Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, launching his own bid for attorney general earlier this week. Since his 2022 runoff loss, Jaworski said he has spent much of the last three years reflecting on how he can best serve Texas, as well as building name recognition through social media and a radio show. He said his 35 years as an attorney 'fighting for clients' constitutional and civil rights against notorious offenders and wrongdoers,' as well as his term as Galveston mayor, have equipped him to lead the attorney general's office. 'AG, to me, that's the sweet spot in state government if you want to make a change in one office,' he said in an interview, adding that he was running 'to be an advocate for the people of Texas, rather than a general counsel for a political party.' In 2022, Jaworski eked out a second-place finish in the March primary, finishing well behind civil rights attorney Rochelle Garza, who went on to easily defeat him in the runoff. 'I immediately endorsed Ms. Garza, and I was sad to see her lose to the most reprehensible attorney general in America,' Jaworski said. 'Maybe it wasn't my time then, but I feel that the time is right now.' He said he is better prepared this time, with a stronger team that includes campaign manager Diana Arévalo, a Democratic strategist who served one term representing San Antonio in the Texas House. As Garza's 10-point defeat showed, Democrats face a tough road to statewide office in Texas. Jaworski is hopeful that he'll benefit from a midterm boost akin to 2018, when Texas Democrats had their strongest showing in years, as well as the first attorney general's race in over a decade without an incumbent on the ballot. With Paxton forgoing reelection to run for the U.S. Senate, a crowded GOP field has shaped up to succeed him on the ballot, including state Sens. Joan Huffman of Houston and Mayes Middleton of Galveston and former Department of Justice attorney Aaron Reitz. Jaworski predicted that by November 2026, there would be a 'growing sense of alarm' among moderate Republicans opposed to some of Trump's more extreme policies, and whoever wins the Democratic nomination for attorney general will be facing an opponent 'who will be parroting Trump's talking points. And I think that person will be very vulnerable.' He plans to roll out a platform in the coming weeks but said his focus would be on things like making it easier for eligible Texans to vote, including encouraging more high school students to register, and consumer protection, as well as pivoting away from the office's current focus on blocking liberal policies from going into effect. 'Texas specifically needs a Democrat to serve as attorney general to investigate corruption, to hold those who are corrupt responsible, and to form coalitions with other states attorneys general to fight the administration's assault on individual rights and on the United States Constitution,' Jaworski said. Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual , happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin! We bring together Texas' most inspiring thinkers, leaders and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Get tickets now and join us this November. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
