AUSTIN, Texas — A retiring Republican state senator who voted to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton in his impeachment trial recently asked his Senate colleagues to reopen the proceedings. 

Sen. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, said he questioned whether Paxton misled the Senate after he tried to end the whistleblower lawsuit that spurred his impeachment. 

“First year law students will tell you that’s an admission of guilt and there were several of the articles of impeachment that revolved around that and I think it’s important if he’s admitting guilt that we proceed back with impeachment,” Sen. Springer said in an interview on Capital Tonight. 

The lawsuit from four former top aides alleges they were fired as punishment for reporting Paxton to the FBI on suspicion of bribery. Paxton has denied wrongdoing, but last month he said he would no longer contest the facts of the case because he wanted to prevent any further expense to taxpayers and disruption to his office. A judge denied his request. Paxton was scheduled to be deposed by the whistleblowers’ legal team, but the Texas Supreme Court temporarily halted it. 

Springer said several of his colleagues have reached out to him, saying they agree with his push to reopen the proceedings. But he has not heard from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and it’s unclear if anything will happen. 

“This is uncharted ground we’re on,” he said. “I know there’s definitely a desire to have the truth.”

Springer said if the impeachment isn’t reopened, he hopes before the legislature approves any settlement money, lawmakers would hear Paxton testify under oath in a committee if he’s not deposed. 

Click the video link above to watch our full interview with Sen. Springer.