Ken Paxton, Republican candidate for Attorney General, today announced a major endorsement from former United States Attorney General John Ashcroft. In addition to leading the U.S. Department of Justice during the administration of President George W. Bush, General Ashcroft has served as Governor, Attorney General, and U.S. Senator for the state of Missouri.

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“As a former United States Attorney General and having also served eight years as the Attorney General of Missouri, I appreciate the qualities and character that Ken Paxton would bring to the office of Texas Attorney General. Ken and I share a common belief in the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and the need for leaders who are willing to fight to preserve conservative values and the constitutional principles of liberty and freedom. I have every confidence that Ken Paxton will be such a leader as the next Attorney General of Texas and I am pleased with the opportunity to endorse him.” – Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft

In response to the endorsement, Senator Paxton stated, “I’ve had the opportunity to visit at length with General Ashcroft, and I am grateful for his counsel and insights from his years of experience. As U.S. Attorney General, our nation was well-served by John Ashcroft’s sound and steady leadership following the September 11th terrorist attacks. I’m humbled that he is willing to lend his stature and his good name to my candidacy.”

As U.S. Attorney General, and the U.S. Justice Department’s CEO, Mr. Ashcroft led the world’s largest and foremost international law firm and law enforcement agency—an organization larger than most Fortune 500 companies, with over 122,000 employees. Mr. Ashcroft boldly led the Department of Justice through the transformational period after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He subsequently reorganized the Department to focus on its number one priority: preventing terrorism. The tough antiterrorism campaign he directed helped keep America safe throughout his tenure and resulted in the dismantling of terrorist cells across America and the disruption of over 150 terrorist plots worldwide.

The endorsement by General Ashcroft underscores Paxton’s overwhelming support among Texas and national conservative leaders and organizations. Nationally, Paxton has earned the endorsement of Sen. Rick Santorum, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Penny Nance, President of Concerned Women for America* (CWA), Freedomworks, and the Family Research Council Action PAC.

In Texas, Senator Paxton has been endorsed by Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of Liberty Institute*; Tim Lambert, President, Texas Home School Coalition*; Cathie Adams, President, Texas Eagle Forum*; Ann Hettinger, Former State Director of Concerned Women for America of Texas*; Jonathan Saenz, President, Texas Values*; Carol Everett, Founder and CEO of The Heidi Group*; Michelle Smith, State Director of Concerned Women for America of Texas*; Dr. Steve Hotze, President of Conservative Republicans of Texas; David Barton, President of WallBuilders*; Dr. Robin Armstrong, current Republican National Committeeman for Texas; Bill Crocker, former Republican National Committeeman for Texas; Ernest Angelo, Jr., former RNC Committeeman; Peggy Venable; Rick Green; Texas Right to Life PAC; Texans for Fiscal Responsibility; Young Conservatives of Texas; Texas Eagle Forum PAC; Texas Home School Coalition; National Rifle Association; Texas State Rifle Association; Conservative Republicans of Texas; United Republicans of Harris County; The Link Letter; C Club; Houston Business Realty Coalition; Texas Conservative View PAC; Tarrant Republican Club; Tarrant County 9/12 Action PAC; DFW Conservative Voters PAC; Katy LiberTEA; Grassroots America – We The People PAC; Kingwood TEA Party; Montgomery Tea Party; Texas Republican Assembly; Texas Patriots PAC; and Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee.

Paxton enjoys key support from Texas law enforcement community including endorsements from Texas Fraternal Order of Police, Harris County Chapter – Texas Fraternal Order of Police, Harris County Deputies Association, Houston Police Officers’ Union Political Action Committee, Harris County Deputies’ Organization, Collin County Deputies Association, and the McKinney Police Association.
*organization listed for identification purposes only