AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was sworn in for his third term as the state’s chief legal officer on Tuesday.
Paxton won his third bid for office in November defeating Democratic challenger Rochelle Garza despite facing numerous legal challenges himself that remain ongoing.
“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to defend Texas (and) to defend the United States Constitution that our founders believed in,” Paxton said during a speech.
Paxton also took the time to highlight the work of his office since he was first elected in 2014, including lawsuits against the Biden Administration.
In two years, the Texas AG’s Office has sued the federal government a record 34 times including on immigration, health care and other issues.
“It’s kind of gotten to the point where I think the Biden administration feels like it can’t sleep without being sued by Texas,” Paxton said.
While not a lawmaker, Paxton also made a case for his priorities this legislative session, including urging lawmakers to pass a law that would allow his office to prosecute voter fraud cases. The Texas Supreme Court ruled in September that the Texas AG does not have the Constitutional ability to do so.
He also vowed to continue to sue big tech and big banks for alleged illegal policies, as well as continue his fight against opioid manufacturers and providers. To date, Texas has secured almost $3 billion in lawsuits against opioid companies.
“The reason that we went after these manufacturers and these providers is that they were dishonest with doctors and dishonest with people taking (the medication), and people have died,” he said. “It is a true travesty.”
Paxton is only the second Texas Attorney General to serve three consecutive terms. Gov. Greg Abbott was the first.