Brent Webster
Brent Webster | |
---|---|
Attorney General of Texas | |
Acting May 27, 2023 – May 31, 2023 Served during Ken Paxton's suspension | |
Governor | Greg Abbott |
Preceded by | Ken Paxton |
Succeeded by | John Scott (interim) |
Personal details | |
Born | Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Education | Southwestern University (BA) University of Houston (JD) |
Brent Webster is an American lawyer serving as the first assistant attorney general of Texas since 2020. In May 2023, he performed the duties of state attorney general for three days following Ken Paxton's impeachment and suspension from office.
Early life and education
Webster is originally from Houston, Texas and graduated from Cypress Falls High School. Webster earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from Southwestern University. Webster holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Houston Law Center.[1]
Early legal career
In his early career, Webster was a prosecutor in the
In 2016, later in his tenure in the Williamson County DA's office, Webster ran against
After departing the Williamson County DA's office, Webster became chief operating officer of Just One Dime. He also joined Edwards Sutarwalla PLLC, a Houston-based law firm, as a senior counsel.[4]
Career in Texas AG's Office
First Assistant Attorney General of Texas
Following the sudden resignation of
As Paxton's top deputy, Webster was involved in many of Paxton's legal challenges.[1] His annual salary of $275,000 made him the highest-paid employee of the AG's office, with pay higher than the elected attorney general.[1][4]
Attempt to overturn 2020 presidential election
In late 2020, Webster took part in Paxton's effort to try to overturn the results of the November 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump.[4][7] In December 2020, Webster filed a case on behalf of the state (Texas v. Pennsylvania) that sought to overturn the election results in four states won by Biden, thus overturning Trump's election loss and keeping him in power.[7][4] Texas's complaint contained many debunked claims of voter fraud that had already been rejected by many other courts.[4]
Proceedings against Webster for professional misconduct
The State Bar of Texas subsequently investigated and brought a disciplinary case against Webster.[7][8] In January 2022, the Commission for Lawyer Discipline held a hearing, at which Webster refused to appear.[8] In May 2022, following its investigation, the Commission determined that Webster violated the state's Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys "by engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation";[7] and identified six key misrepresentations that Webster had made in the Texas v. Pennsylvania filings before the Supreme Court.[8]
After the Commission made adverse findings against him, Webster chose to file an appeal in court rather accept sanctions proposed by the panel.
Three-day tenure as acting attorney general
Webster began performing the duties of state attorney general after the Texas House of Representatives impeached Paxton on May 27, 2023, automatically suspending Paxton from exercising the powers of the office pending his trial in the Texas Senate.[10][a]
On May 31, Governor
Election history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Scott Walker | 833,757 | 41.48 | |
Republican | Brent Webster | 411,119 | 20.45 | |
Republican | Steve Smith | 393,992 | 19.60 | |
Republican | Sid Harle | 371,303 | 18.47 | |
Total votes | 2,010,171 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Scott Walker | 206,922 | 58.02 | |
Republican | Brent Webster | 149,714 | 41.98 | |
Total votes | 356,636 | 100.0 |
Notes
References
- ^ a b c d e f Alexa Ura, Lawyer currently leading Texas attorney general's office has been swept up in Ken Paxton's legal challenges, Texas Tribune (May 29, 2023).
- ^ McGaughy, Lauren; Morris, Allie (May 28, 2023). "Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's deputy steps up after impeachment vote, memo shows". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Glas, Brittany (May 31, 2017). "Criminals gain from delayed asset forfeiture cases in Williamson County". Austin, Tex.: KXAN. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Taylor Goldenstein, What to know about interim Texas Attorney General Brent Webster, Ken Paxton's temporary replacement, Houston Chronicle (May 30, 2023).
- ^ Johnson, Brad (October 5, 2020). "Paxton Taps Brent Webster as New First Assistant Attorney General". The Texan. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Ex-top aide to Texas AG: 'Shocked; at his legal intervention". Associated Press. October 23, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e James Barragán, Judge dismisses attempt to discipline Texas AG Ken Paxton's top aide for trying to overturn the 2020 election, (September 20, 2022).
- ^ a b c d e f Stephen Paulsen, Top Texas official not immune from discipline in 2020 election subversion, Courthouse News Service (July 14, 2023).
- ^ Bleiberg, Jake (September 20, 2022). "Judge dismisses disciplinary case against Texas AG's deputy". Associated Press. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b Zach Despart & Robert Downen, Abbott taps John Scott, former Texas secretary of state, as interim attorney general, Texas Tribune (May 31, 2023).
- ^ "Brent Webster". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 29, 2023.