Two of Texas’ leading Democratic candidates for attorney general sparred in a debate Thursday hosted by the Texas AFL-CIO, but they were in total agreement on one point: Current Attorney General Ken Paxton must be defeated in the November general election.
Civil-rights attorney S. Lee Merritt and former Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski debated why they would be the ideal Democratic nominee to defeat Paxton, who is seeking his third term as Texas’ top lawman. Candidate Rochelle Garza, an attorney and immigrant-rights advocate, was expected to attend, but was hospitalized the day before. The AFL-CIO is expected to endorse one candidate based on the performance; the group endorsed candidates in several other races Friday but did not announce its endorsement in the AG race.
“Texas is led by corrupt officials who can’t see past their primary race,” Jaworski said. “It’s embarrassing to endure their daily contempt for voters. They’re embarrassing Texas on the world stage. You can’t trust the Texas GOP any longer.”
