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Three Rio Grande Valley legislators will participate in the historic impeachment trial in the Senate against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
On Monday, House Speaker Dade Phelan appointed Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, Oscar Longoria, D-Penitas, and Erin Gamez, D-Brownsville, to serve on the 12-member Board of Managers for Paxton’s impeachment trial.
The Board of Managers are tasked with managing the prosecution of Paxton during his Senate trial, which is scheduled to begin no later than Aug. 28.
In a statement, Canales acknowledged the appointment and called Paxton corrupt.
“Under the House resolution that officially appointed me, we were given the duty to prepare to present the articles of impeachment at the Senate trial,” Canales said. “The General Investigating Committee uncovered bribery, conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public resources, obstructing justice and more.”
Canales further said Paxton has a pattern of corruption.
“This is about facts — all of which point to a pattern of corruption that is offensive to anyone who believes public servants should follow the law,” Canales said. “When the House uncovered the depths of Mr. Paxton’s corruption and the danger it posed to the state of Texas, we had no choice but to act.
“To not act would have been a dereliction of our own responsibility to the public.”
During Paxton’s May 27 impeachment in the House of Representatives, Canales was the only Democrat to speak publicly during the proceedings.
Gamez also issued a statement following her appointment to the Board of Managers, saying she is humbled to be selected while thanking Phelan and Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, who is the chair of the Board of Managers.
“I take this solemn task incredibly seriously and promise to uphold the virtues and integrity of the citizens of Texas,” Gamez said.
Longoria, who co-authored the bill to impeach Paxton, did not respond to an email sent Wednesday asking for comment on his appointment to the Board of Managers.
During the impeachment, every legislator from the Valley, including two Republicans, voted to impeach Paxton.
Sens. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, and Morgan LaMantia, D-Brownsville, will serve as jurors during the Senate trial.
LaMantia previously declined to comment on her roles as a juror during the Senate trial and Hinojosa did not respond to an email sent on May 28 seeking comment.
They are tasked with being impartial finders of fact during the trial.
As for Paxton, he has been suspended from office pending the trial and is not being paid, according to the Associated Press.
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