In breaking news on this Saturday evening, Attorney General Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House for alleged criminal corruption.

Republicans overwhelmingly joined with the Democrats in the chamber to pass the resolution by a 121-23 margin. Paxton will now be tried in the Texas Senate (Fox News).

The Texas House of Representatives voted Saturday to impeach Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton over charges of bribery, disregard of official duties and abuse of public trust after hours of debate in an afternoon session — sending the case to the state Senate.

The House voted 121-23 to impeach him, meaning he will step down temporarily as he faces trial in the upper chamber. A simple majority was required to impeach him.

The House’s Committee on General Investigating had initiated an inquiry in March after Paxton and his office asked the legislature for $3.3 million to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by whistleblowers in the office. The former employees had called in 2020 for an investigation into Paxton’s actions regarding an Austin real estate investor who had his home searched by the FBI. They accused Paxton of using his office to protect him by authorizing an investigation into the FBI.

Given the vote total, it seems exceptionally possible that Paxton could be convicted by the Senate. As to the details, both sides of the issue have settled. Without having a full reading of the evidence, I simply can’t speak to how valid the case is.

Speaking personally, though, I do think highly of the actual things Paxton has done as AG, and I think it would be a blow to lose him in that position.

This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates as they come.