![motion to dismiss impeachment motion to dismiss impeachment](https://www.signnow.com/preview/88/704/88704546/large.png)
Twelve Republicans joined all Senate Democrats in the vote to essentially move forward with a trial. The first motion asked the Senate to throw out every article of impeachment for lack of evidence. Setting the tone, the Senate denied Paxton’s first two motions by votes of 24-6 and 22-8. Those senators were Pete Flores of Pleasanton, Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills, Joan Huffman of Houston, Mayes Middleton of Galveston, Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, Phil King of Weatherford and Drew Springer of Muenster. The remaining seven Republicans voted with all 12 Democrats against each motion. Half of those senators - Bettencourt, Campbell and Parker - are up for reelection next year.įive Republicans - Brian Birdwell of Granbury, Bryan Hughes of Mineola, Charles Perry of Lubbock, Charles Schwertner of Georgetown and Kevin Sparks of Midland - voted in favor of at least one motion to dismiss. Six Republican senators supported every motion in a nod of support for Paxton: Paul Bettencourt of Houston, Donna Campbell of New Braunfels, Brandon Creighton of Conroe, Bob Hall of Edgewood, Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and Tan Parker of Flower Mound. Senators have been under a gag order ahead of the trial, so there was little insight into their views of the case. Its Republican members are more in line with Paxton's brand of conservatism, and he has more personal connections in the chamber where he once served and his wife remains a member. While the House vote to impeach Paxton was overwhelming and bipartisan, the Senate offers a different political landscape. But by voting two-to-one against every motion to dismiss but one, the Senate signaled at least an openness to the charges against Paxton. The Texas Constitution requires a two-thirds vote to convict Paxton and remove him from office. Had the motions to dismiss failed by a smaller margin, they might have signaled a tough road ahead for the prosecution.