Collin County is frontline for emotional Texas House primary elections

The fallout from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial may soon become apparent in the political arena.

Despite years of friendship, all five Republican members from Paxton’s home county supported impeaching him, and they now face challengers recruited by Paxton himself in the upcoming March 5 primary election.

Early voting commenced on Tuesday.

Last spring, the Texas House voted overwhelmingly to impeach and suspend Paxton on bribery and abuse of power allegations. Although the Texas Senate acquitted him, the FBI is still investigating allegations made by his top staff, who reported him to the FBI. Their civil lawsuit against his office remains ongoing.

Now, hundreds of campaign signs populate early voting locations in Paxton’s home Collin County. Over the fall, Paxton and leaders of the Collin County Republican Party recruited challengers to take on incumbent Representatives Frederick Frazier (R- McKinney), Jeff Leach (R-Plano), Matt Shaheen (R-Plano), Justin Holland (R-Rockwall), and Candy Noble (R-Lucas).

Many of these challengers have known Paxton for years, with Paxton even recruiting some of them to enter politics initially. Leach, who gave an emotional speech during the impeachment trial, referred to Paxton as a close friend who had lost his way.

Requests for comment from Paxton regarding the situation have not yet been returned.

Paxton endorsed Daren Meis against Leach, emphasizing Meis’s loyalty to the Republican Party platform. Wayne Richard, recruited by Collin County GOP leaders to challenge Rep. Matt Shaheen, expressed frustration over Shaheen’s campaign material linking him to a well-known White supremacist.

Shaheen defended his vote by siding with the Paxton whistleblowers during impeachment and highlighted his contributions to conservative causes, such as record funding for border security and stringent abortion laws in Texas.

The primary races in Collin County will serve as a litmus test for Paxton’s influence in his original home base, where a close-knit, largely Christian conservative community resides.

Paxton’s endorsements in Collin County will compete with those of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has endorsed several incumbents. However, Abbott’s endorsements may hold more weight due to his better-known and better-liked status, as well as his stronger campaign infrastructure.

In this intricate political landscape, individuals are torn between loyalty to old friendships and allegiances to party platforms and principles. Even attendees of the same church, such as Prestonwood Baptist Church, find themselves navigating conflicting political loyalties.

As the primary election draws closer, the political dynamics in Collin County will undoubtedly continue to evolve, reflecting the broader tensions within the Republican Party in Texas.