AUSTIN, Texas — Attorney General Ken Paxton's on a political revenge tour. Monday, he campaigned against Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, in Phelan's own southeast Texas district. Paxton's out to oust the House Republicans who impeached him in May on abuse-of-power charges. The Senate later acquitted him.
Paxton's also trying to boot the incumbent in the race for a Collin County seat. Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, is being challenged by Paxton-backed candidate Daren Meis.
In a recent interview on Capital Tonight, Meis said he’s running because it’s time for a change and said the process the House used to impeach Paxton was a sham.
“There was no sworn testimony. There was quadruple hearsay on the House floor,” he said. “It was a botched process and when you try to circumvent and overthrow the will of more than 4.2 million Texas voters, people aren’t going to sit back and allow that to happen, including myself.”
Rep. Leach said on Capital Tonight Tuesday that he stands by his impeachment vote.
"I have no regrets whatsoever," he said. "I believed with all of my heart in May when I voted for impeachment that General Paxton was corrupt. Now, several months later, I believe without question, he's a sophisticated criminal."
Rep. Leach was endorsed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
"I have partnered with and locked arms with our conservative governor for many years in delivering these key policy priorities. Not just talking the talk during campaign time, but walking the walk," he said.
Click the video link above to watch our full interview with Rep. Leach.