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Attorney General Race Heating Up Between Republican Lawmakers

State of Texas

This Thursday, Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, announced his candidacy in the race for the attorney general's office, which came on the heels of news that Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who is also running, had secured support from six of current Attorney General Greg Abbott’s former top-aides.

This week Branch also released a campaign video that promises his voter base that he would continue to fight against abortion rights and Gay Marriage.

"And I will fight for our state’s right to protect the unborn and our right to define a marriage as between one man and one woman. And if some in Washington want to deny us our freedoms as they said at the Battle of Gonzales we have four words for them here in Texas: 'Come and take it.'"

Paxton was introduced by Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, who authored the controversial abortion bill that passed during the previous special session.

Paxton told his crowd of supporters, some of which included House Republicans, that he had a message for President Obama, saying: "Texas will Govern Texas." 

Paxton has some catching up to do when it comes to campaign funds. According to the Texas Ethics Commission, Branch has about $4 million on hand, whereas Paxton has about $1.6 million in reserves.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Barry Smitherman has also announced his intent to run for attorney general in the Republican primaries and has a total of $1 million in campaign funds.

Ryan started his radio career in 2002 working for Austin’s News Radio KLBJ-AM as a show producer for the station's organic gardening shows. This slowly evolved into a role as the morning show producer and later as the group’s executive producer.