Paxton Announces Endorsement of Former U.S. Attorney

U.S. Attorney Richard Roper — not to be confused with film critic Richard Roeper — gave a thumbs up to Republican attorney general candidate Ken Paxton on Tuesday.

Paxton, a state senator from McKinney, issued a press release announcing the endorsement and burnishing his support from the legal and law enforcement communities, including former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and the Houston Police Officers' Union Political Action Committee.

In the wake of a reprimand Paxton received from the State Securities Board for violating the Texas Securities Act, two law enforcement groups — the McKinney Police Association and the Allen Police Association — withdrew their endorsements of Paxton.

Roper, a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas who is currently in private practice, said in a statement, "I'm pleased to endorse Ken Paxton, a man I know will represent our state well as attorney general. Ken is a genuine conservative who we can count on to fight for Texas and stay true to conservative principles."

Paxton is facing state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, in the May 27 runoff election. Early voting starts Monday.