Texas House names 12 impeachment managers in trial against Attorney General Ken Paxton

On the last day of what turned out to be a dramatic tumultuous legislative session, the House on Monday named 12 members to manage the impeachment trial in the Senate of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The effort will be spearheaded by the five members of the House General Investigating Committee that on Saturday laid out the 20 articles of impeachment of Paxton, a third-term Republican who has been under criminal indictment through virtually all of his eight-plus years as the state's top elected law enforcement official. He is also under FBI investigation.

Seven additional members will assist in what will essentially be a prosecution that requires a two-thirds majority of the 31-member Senate to permanently remove Paxton from the office he first assumed in 2015.

State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, who chairs the investigating committee and Houston Democratic Rep. Ann Johnson, the panel's vice chair, will continue their roles in the impeachment trial. In all, the management team is made up of seven Republicans and five Democrats.

"This is a solemn process that all of us take very seriously," Murr told reporters assembled in a small room off the House chamber. "At the end of a long and grueling legislative session, I am grateful that this esteemed group of colleagues has agreed to serve in this meaningful role. We will manage this process with the weight and reference that it deserves and requires."

The House members to preside over proceedings are:

• Andrew Murr, R-Junction, Chair

• Ann Johnson, D-Houston, Vice Chair

• Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth

• Joe Moody, D-El Paso

• Terry Canales. D-Edinburg

• Jeff Leach, R-Plano

• Oscar Longoria, D-Mission

• Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas

• Briscoe Cain, R-Houston

• Cody Vasut, R-Angleton

• David Spiller, R-Jacksboro

• Erin Gamez, D-Brownsville

More: Overwhelming GOP support helped Texas House impeach AG Ken Paxton. Senate trial is next.

The House, which only disclosed six days ago its plans to move forward with Paxton's impeachment, has driven the narrative to date, with the attorney general loudly accusing Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan of Beaumont of orchestrating a "witch hunt" against him.

Now, the Senate will be setting the pace. The regular legislative session ended Monday, but the impeachment is not tied to the legislative calendar. Members of the chamber could convene a trial even if a special session is not called.

More: Editorial: Paxton faces a long-overdue day of reckoning

Murr, flanked by the 11 other impeachment managers, said the group plans to approach its duties in much the same manner as if it were a civil or criminal trial. When his committee last week moved forward with impeachment, the evidence it shared publicly came from a team of investigating lawyers who relayed what witnesses had told them.

During the Senate trial, Murr said, many of those witnesses will be called to give testimony to the senators acting as jurors and will be subject to cross-examination from Paxton's defense.

Lt. Gov, Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, late Monday appointed a committee to develop proposed rules and procedures for the impeachment.

“When the rules are drafted, a date will be set for when the Senate will resolve into a court of impeachment to consider the articles,” Patrick said.

The Senate committee members are:

• Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, Chair

• Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, Vice Chair

• Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe

• Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton

• Joan Huffman, R-Houston

• Phil King, R-Weatherford

• Royce West, D-Dallas

The drama that began to unfold May 23 stems from a tentative settlement in the whistleblower lawsuit filed against Paxton in his official capacity. The investigating committee began its work in secret after Paxton asked lawmakers to appropriate $3.3 million to settle with his accusers.

The first bribery count related to an allegation that Paxton played a role in the decision by political ally and campaign contributor Austin real estate developer Nate Paul to put a woman on his payroll with whom the attorney general was having an affair.

"Specifically, Paxton benefited from Nate Paul's employment of a woman with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair. Paul received favorable legal assistance from, or specialized access to, the office of the attorney general," the section of the impeachment document states.

Early in Paxton's first term, a grand jury in his home of Collin County handed up indictments on two counts of securities fraud, a first-degree felony that carries a penalty of up to 99 years in prison, and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators, a third-degree felony with a maximum of 10 years in prison.

More: After Texas House impeaches Ken Paxton, Senate will have trial where his wife has a vote

Perhaps the most serious allegation accuses Paxton of violating state securities laws to defraud two members of an investment club he belonged to when, in July 2011, Paxton recommended buying shares in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that the McKinney tech company was paying him to promote its stock.

One hour after Murr and the managers spoke to reporters Monday, the House adjourned and ended the regular session and the Senate soon followed suit.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: House names members of AG Paxton impeachment trial, Senate to set date