April 21, 2014 12:29 PM

Branch says Paxton should consider withdrawing from race for AG

Branch points to a report on Paxton’s business relationships that weren’t disclosed; Paxton is said to be taking the matter seriously

The Dan Branch campaign on Monday said the Dallas Representative's rival for the GOP nomination for Attorney General Sen. Ken Paxton, R-McKinney, should answer more questions about his business relationships or withdraw from the race.

Citing a Texas Tribune report that centered on letters from 2006 "showing the McKinney lawmaker was being paid to solicit clients for a North Texas financial services firm at a time when he was not registered with the State Securities Board."

“New revelations from an investigation into Ken Paxton are deeply troubling," Branch said. "Texans deserve an Attorney General who will protect them, not prey upon them. Texas voters must know whether someone seeking to be the state’s chief law enforcement official has violated criminal or civil laws. If Ken Paxton won’t provide these answers, he should end his campaign for Attorney General.”

Paxton’s campaign said the senator from North Texas, who is also the frontrunner in the race, is taking this seriously but isn’t answering specific questions right now. Paxton has ordered an internal review.